Adiposity, or obesity, can lead to secondary conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Treatment includes dietary and lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. Obesity occurs when an individual consumes more calories than they burn, and can be diagnosed through BMI and physical exams. Treatment involves adopting healthy eating habits and exercise routines, and in some cases, medication and surgery. Complications of obesity include serious medical conditions and an increased risk of premature death.
Adiposity is the medical term for obesity and is used to describe unhealthy body weight. Obesity is a condition that often contributes to the development of secondary conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea. Treatment for obesity is usually multifaceted in its approach, including dietary and lifestyle changes, and in some cases may require the use of medications and surgery.
Obesity occurs when an individual consumes more calories than they burn. Those who consume a high-calorie diet and promote an inactive or sedentary lifestyle burn few or no calories, which the body eventually stores as fat. Over time, the continuous storage of these fat cells leads to adiposity.
Individuals with adiposity possess a body weight greater than that considered healthy for their height. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a standardized tool often used to calculate whether you have a healthy body weight for your height. An individual’s BMI can be calculated by dividing their weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters squared). Those whose BMI values are between 25 and 30 are considered overweight and a BMI above 30 is indicative of morbid obesity.
There are numerous behavioral and physiological factors that can contribute to the development of obesity. Individuals who drink excessively, eat too much or are sedentary are at the greatest risk of becoming obese. Regular use of some medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, can contribute to adiposity. Research has shown that genetics can also contribute to obesity. Additional factors that can increase your risk of becoming obese include chronic mental illness and disability.
A variety of diagnostic tests can be conducted to establish whether an individual is obese. A complete history is usually taken and a physical exam is done. Your doctor may ask you questions regarding your eating habits, diet content, and activity level. Blood tests may be ordered to evaluate an individual’s thyroid level and check for any abnormalities related to the production of other endocrine secretions that play a direct role in regulating one’s metabolism. In addition to calculating an individual’s BMI, their body fat percentage can be determined through measurements of their skin folds.
Dietary and lifestyle changes are almost always part of any treatment approach for adiposity. Individuals generally have to learn new eating habits and adopt a healthy balanced diet. Most who seek medical help can work closely with a licensed dietician or nutritionist to formulate a dietary plan that promotes balanced nutrition and weight loss. Adopting healthy eating habits, such as eating only at the table and avoiding snacking with the help of healthier habits such as yoga or walking, are considered an essential part of any diet plan.
Individuals are generally encouraged to adopt a regular, balanced exercise routine and stick to it. Exercise routines often depend on your activity level and physical abilities. Some may start with low-impact training and gradually increase the intensity, content, and frequency of exercise over time. For individuals with adiposity, the goal is to avoid being sedentary.
Treatment may also include using over-the-counter or prescription medications to help with weight loss. Individuals should discuss their options with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any diet medication. Weight loss surgery can be performed on individuals with morbid adiposity, which is often considered to be 100 or more pounds overweight with a BMI of 30 or higher. Generally reserved for situations where other treatment approaches have failed, weight loss surgery can be performed in a couple of ways.
Gastric bypass surgery involves reducing the size of an individual’s stomach and restructuring the way the stomach and small intestine process food with the help of the bypass. Essentially, the lower stomach is bypassed through repositioning the jejunum of the small intestine. A second procedure, known as a laparoscopic gastric band, involves placing a band around the upper portion of the stomach to limit its capacity. Once the fascia is in place, an individual is able to feel full by eating less. Surgical weight loss procedures are also accompanied by postoperative dietary and lifestyle changes to be employed to promote and maintain a healthy body weight.
Complications associated with obesity are usually induced by the additional stress that excess weight places on body systems. Serious medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and heart disease are common among people with adiposity. An individual’s risk for strokes, some cancers, and high blood pressure also increases if they are obese. Untreated morbid obesity can also lead to heart failure and contribute to premature death.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
