Over the years, cases of obesity have been on the rise, affecting thousands of people from all over the world.
The number of people suffering from obesity has been increasing at a high rate, posing a threat to many people’s health and well being.
Even with most health organizations trying to create awareness, people still suffer from obesity, some without even knowing how they ended up being obese.
Most people are not aware of the negative impacts of being obese and tend to overlook this health issue. Below are five things you should know about obesity.
1. It can cause a major health risk
Although obesity can be prevented, it is gradually becoming a health threat. Being obese is not something to be taken lightly and with the high rate at which people are becoming overweight, it is getting more difficult to manage, especially due to the foods that people eat. Obese individuals are at risk of suffering from medical conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, difficulty in breathing, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
2. Obesity affects both adults and children
Obesity isn’t limited to age. While the number of adults suffering from obesity is usually more than that of adults, both adults and children can suffer from obesity. Children who are obese from a young age are likely to be obese even as adults if caution is not taken and the condition controlled at an early stage. Adults who suffer from obesity are at the risk of having fertility problems. This is due to the excess weight which can make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant.
On the other hand, a man might fail to produce the required amounts of healthy sperms to fertilize an egg during reproduction. If not treated, obesity can not only cause physical related illnesses but also serious mental health issues which is a much difficult condition to treat.
3. Being obese is different from being overweight
Both being obese and being overweight is related to a person’s weight when it is higher than the recommended body weight. The BMI, which shows the relationship between a person’s weight and height can be used to diagnose if you are obese or are at risk of being obese. Most people with a BMI that is higher than 30 are considered to be obese. But, if you have a BMI between 25 to 29.9, this might state that you might be overweight. Find out more about your BMI cut-off points to determine if you are healthy, obese or overweight.
4. Losing weight alone is not enough to treat obesity
You cannot simply bet on losing weight to treat obesity. You first have to consult your doctor, undergo the necessary tests, speak about any potential risks or underlying health conditions. Severe obese cases might even require medication or surgery.
5. Obesity can affect your daily life
If not treated early, obesity can negatively affect daily life, leading to a series of health issues, chronic back pain and osteoarthritis. Ensure that you frequently exercise enough exercise, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s sleep.
It requires various changes in a person’s lifestyle which include making changes in your diet and activity levels to reduce any potential chances of becoming obese for you to treat obesity.
