Short Essay on Obesity

Short Essay on Obesity

Accumulation of excessive body fat is known as obesity. Obesity is measured and defined in terms of body mass index (BMI). Body mass index is the numerical way of deciding the appropriate weight range according to the height of an individual. A body mass index of more than 30kg/m2 indicates obesity. It is further classified as severe, morbid and super obesity in the order as the BMI increases. Obesity is a lifestyle disease which is spreading rapidly worldwide. Individuals of all age, gender and ethnicity are affected by this disease. Still, a general trend has been observed that women are affected more than the men. The tendency to gain weight also increases with the growing age. However, an alarming trend of childhood obesity is being noticed in the recent years. Obesity renders an individual susceptible to various other diseases like hypertension, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea etc.

Obesity is mainly caused when the intake of the calories exceed the dissipated calories. In simple words, when one tends to eat more than his body requirement the extra fat start depositing in the body tissues giving rise to obesity. Junk food is the main culprit. Children are fonder of such unhealthy food items and hence are getting more affected by the rising incidences of obesity. The other common cause is the lack of physical activity. To properly digest the consumed food, physical exercise is compulsory. But the modern day sedentary life style leaves less time to work out. Thence, lack of exercise is a major contributing factor. However, in certain cases a plateau phase has been noticed. This generally occurs due to hormonal imbalance mainly caused by disturbance in physiological system of the body. Genetic predisposition also plays a major role as a causative factor.

There are as no such presenting symptoms of the disease except the ever increasing body weight. Generally, shortness of breath, fatigue, tiredness, over-sweating, lethargy etc. is the chief complaints of the patient. But most of the times, the patients does not pay much attention towards these changes in the body. They visit the physician only after the serious manifestation of the disease occurs. It has been seen that such medical complications resolve on their own, when the patient starts losing weight.

Obesity can be managed by eating healthy food and increasing physical activity. There is no need to alter the quantity of the food but the quality of the food must be checked and improvised. Avoiding red meat, oily food, extra fats in form of ghee, butter etc. can dramatically help to reduce the weight. And if the right eating is accompanied with the physical work out, it becomes the perfect way to lose weight and stay healthy. In some patients surgery is also carried out. The choice of the treatment depends on various factors. And the decision is taken by the physician by thoroughly examining the patient.

WHO has declared obesity as a global epidemic. Earlier, obesity was seen as a disease of high-income countries only. But now, the global trend has been observed. There is an acute need to make the public aware about the morbid effects of obesity. Outdoor sports and activities should be encouraged by both the school authorities and parents to tackle rising cases of childhood obesity. And healthy eating habits and an active life style should be adopted by the individuals of all age groups and gender, to prevent obesity.