To address the growing concerns of obesity and promote awareness to combat the health complications arising from the same, the 4th of March every year is recognised as the World Obesity Day since 2020. While most of us understand the causes of obesity, we often tend to ignore its consequences. So, on this World Obesity Day, let’s pledge to take our best foot forward and march towards a healthy lifestyle so that obesity cannot risk our lives and jeopardise our family’s future.
What is Obesity?
Obesity can have severe and detrimental impacts on an individual’s health. Not just adults, but the rate of obesity among children rose sharply in the initial months of the coronavirus pandemic. This was due to decreased physical activity and increased obesity risk factors. A new analysis from the World Obesity Federation projects that by 2030, over 27 million youngsters in India will be obese.
Obesity has emerged as the real hidden pandemic and is the primary reason behind premature mortality. By 2025, it is projected that 20% of the world's population will be considered truly obese, with about 39% of adults overweight.
However, how can you fight the things that lead to obesity? If you wonder what is obesity and its causes you’re reading the right article. This guide speaks about what causes obesity and what are the reasons for obesity. Read on as we will also discuss 10 ways to control obesity. Without further ado, let's get started!
How is Obesity Classified?
You may screen for obesity using several methods. The most popular one is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the height (in m) squared. Obesity classification is different in adults and children. Below is a tabular representation of the BMI Cut-Off Points (kg/m²) in adults.
| Classification |
BMI Cut-Off Points (kg/m²) |
| Underweight |
Less than 18.5 |
| Healthy Weight |
18.5 to 24.99 |
| Overweight |
25 to 29.9 |
| Class 1 Obesity |
30.00 to 34.9 |
| Class 2 Obesity |
35 to 39.9 |
| Class 3 / Severe Obesity |
More than 40 |
What Causes Obesity?
When you take in more calories than you burn off, you eventually develop obesity risk factors. This happens due to energy imbalance. When your energy intake (calories) does not equal your energy expenditure (calories your body consumes for respiration, digestion, and physical activity), it leads to an imbalance and triggers things that lead to obesity. Below listed are a few causes of obesity. Have a look!
Genetics (Hereditary Disorders)
Genetics is a predisposing factor for obesity. It may have a major impact on a person's body's capacity to burn calories while exercising, regulating their appetite, and converting food into energy.
Lifestyle Choices
If you've been thinking about what is the main cause of obesity, this is it. Lifestyle choices include an unhealthy diet, insufficient sleep, lack of physical activity, and consuming too much of calorie-dense drinks, and sugary soft drinks. All of these lifestyle choices are the key reasons for obesity.
Certain Diseases
The answer to obesity is caused by what can also be linked to medical conditions. Diseases like Prader-Willi syndrome or Cushing syndrome can have a significant impact on developing obesity. Additionally, medical issues that reduce physical activity like arthritis can also be the major causes of obesity.
Age
Age plays no role when it comes to obesity and its causes. This is because it can develop at any age. Obesity is common among young children as well. Hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, and decreased metabolism are the major reasons for obesity.
Pregnancy
Gaining weight is a common factor in pregnancy. However, some women find it difficult to shed this weight after giving birth. This adds to significant causes of obesity later in life.
Microbiome
This is an interesting point as to what are the reasons for obesity. A person’s diet has a significant impact on their gut bacteria. Any changes/imbalance in it makes weight loss challenging, thereby causing obesity.
Medicines
Certain medications cause weight gain. Some of these include antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, birth control pills, glucocorticoids, and insulin. Be mindful that these can be key causes of obesity.
Obesity Risk Factors
To name a single factor, i.e., what is a cause of obesity is challenging. There are numerous things to consider while listing obese risk factors. Besides the above-listed reasons for obesity, certain individual and environmental elements lead to obesity.
While individual factors include skills, behaviours, and knowledge, environmental factors include people in your neighbourhood, workplace, and school. It is not possible to change/avoid every risk factor that increases the number of obese people. However, knowing the predisposing factor of obesity can help achieve a healthy weight, thereby reducing the risk of obesity-related medical conditions.
>> Also Read: Know How Obesity Can Impact Health Insurance Premium
How Does Health Insurance Help with Obesity?
Now that you know what are the reasons for obesity, you should know the potentially dangerous health conditions that come with it. Medical conditions that arrive due to obesity and causes include breathing problems, heart disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases (especially osteoarthritis), stroke, infertility, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic), and certain cancers. People who are obese are likely to develop these conditions.
If left untreated, any of these could need immediate medical attention thereby resulting in costly diagnosis and treatment. Untreated conditions could even lead to fatality. Moreover, medical treatments can potentially deplete your monthly income and savings. This is when Care Health Insurance comes in. It provides some of the best health insurance policies at affordable premiums that suit diverse needs.
10 Ways to Control Obesity
Controlling the things that lead to obesity and knowing what are the reasons for obesity is crucial to avoiding chronic and complicated diseases. Read on to learn the 10 ways to control obesity.
Drink Plenty of Water
NIH reports that drinking water increases an adult's resting energy expenditure by 30% and lasts for at least an hour. Long-term rises in water consumption have been linked to weight loss, a low body mass index, and burning of body fat.
Consume Less Amount of Salt
The World Health Organisation states that the daily allowance of salt in food should not exceed 5 grams. Sodium is a major cause of weight gain. According to an NIH study, people who consume large amounts of sodium have a 28–30% increased chance of becoming obese.
Avoid Sugar Consumption
Added sugars in ice creams and candies in the form of cane starch or corn syrup have zero nutrients and are full of calories. These sugary items lead to major weight gain, thereby increasing the number of obese people, type-2 diabetes, and heart diseases.
Do Not Avoid Your Breakfast
In an attempt to cut calories, people skip breakfast. This makes them overeat later. You must never skip breakfast. This will allow you to control your portion sizes and make healthy choices later in the day.
Consume Fibre-rich Food
Foods high in fibre can prevent obesity and fight obesity risk factors. This is because they make you feel fuller for longer. It lowers the food's calorie density and cuts the fat buildup. Have grains, avocados, fruits, broccoli, dry goods, berries, and beans.
Increase Your Overall Protein Intake
One nutrient that can prevent obesity is protein. Foods high in protein increase metabolism, suppress appetite and reduce the synthesis of hormones that lead to weight gain. Proteins help the body burn fat faster while you sleep and reduce hunger urges.
Add Calcium-rich Food to Your Diet
Foods high in calcium have been shown to have anti-obesity characteristics. Calcium increases fat breakdown and decreases fat production. Foods high in calcium include milk, oranges, yoghurt, figs, cheese, and green leafy vegetables.
Consume Healthy Nuts
Nuts are high in antioxidants and nutrients that can slow down weight gain and reduce hunger. Adding this to breakfast indicates you'll eat less later in the day. Almonds, peanuts, and walnuts are some of the nuts that help curb obesity.
Stay Physically Active
Maintaining an active lifestyle is the best way to lose weight and combat the causes of obesity. If you're a fitness enthusiast, you can work out every day. If you are not, try swimming, yoga, dancing, jogging, cycling, or running thrice a week.
Regular Health Check-Ups
It is possible to be healthy and not be obese. There are some individuals who may be skinny but still are susceptible to obesity. Seeking advice from a physician is the best method to determine this. In order to evaluate your condition, the doctor will calculate your BMI based on your height and weight.
Over to You
Besides being mindful of the causes of obesity, making small, gradual, long-lasting, and beneficial lifestyle adjustments is highly crucial for long-term weight loss. Crash diets are not a very sustainable way to combat obesity. It is important to make changes in one's lifestyle to lead a healthy life.
Treatment for obesity and obesity-related conditions will typically be covered by Care Health Insurance when it is medically necessary. Simply put, the coverage for weight loss can be availed if your doctors consider it to be life-threatening for you. However, you need to keep in mind that it is advisable to consult with your insurance provider and go over the details of your plan before deciding on coverage and treating the medical conditions and things that lead to obesity.
Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
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