Obesity , a worldwide epidemic

Obesity is a health problem that is rising at incredible rates.

Every November 12th, the Day Against Obesity is conmemorated worldwide. A day in which several institutions create awareness campaigns to reinforce a proper prevention of obesity and its serious consequences.

Obesity is a health problem that is rising at incredible rates. It is common for people to suddenly gain a few extra pounds, however, it is important to recognize when simple weight gain is turning into obesity.

WHAT IS OBESITY?

This disease consists of an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, also known as fat. It is currently estimated that there are more than 640 million obese people worldwide.

Obesity is already considered a global epidemic, since it affects a large number of people and its numbers have been increasing since 1980.

The condition is dangerous because it usually aggravates certain serious diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular complications and even some types of cancer, for example gastrointestinal.

There are different types of obesity. Here we mention which ones:
-Abdominal or droid obesity. This type of obesity occurs when excess fat accumulates in the abs, chest and face. In some cases, this type of obesity is often associated with diabetes and heart disease.

-Peripheral obesity. It consists of accumulating an excess of fat in hips and thighs. This type of obesity is usually the most common in women and in some cases it is related to varicose veins and osteoarthritis of the knees.

-Homogenous obesity. It occurs when the fat does not tend to accumulate in a specific area, but it is distributed in different parts of the body.


WHAT CAN OBESITY CAUSE?

Obesity can be caused by many factors. Here we mention which ones:
-Lack of physical exercise. One of the most common causes. When a person does not have the habit of exercising frequently, all the food and calories consumed end up being stored in the body, which creates body fat eventually, making the process of losing it more difficult.

-Biological or genetic factors. People who have close relatives who are obese, are more likely to get this disease at some point in their life.

- Socioeconomic factors. The amount of income an individual receives also has a certain influence on their physical condition. A person who has enough resources will be enrolled in a gym, will join a sports club, eat in healthy food spots, etc. On the other hand, a person without many resources, is likely to prefer to invest their money in something that is more economical.

-Endocrine diseases. If someone suffers from a thyroid disease, such as hypercorticism or hypothyroidism, there is a higher risk of becoming obese. The thyroid ends up causing a mismatch in the body.

-Consumption of medications. Some medications are considered as factors that can trigger obesity. These medications can be some antidepressants, contraceptives or corticosteroids.

-Nervous system. Some people who suffer from some psychological problems may end up developing an imbalance in their central nervous system. This system alters the mechanisms of satiety, making the person to continue eating, even if he is already satisfied.

-Chromosomes Some cases of obesity are associated with defects in the chromosomes, such as those suffering from Turner syndrome or Down syndrome.


WHAT PROBLEMS CAN OBESITY TRIGGER?
Obesity is known to trigger a large series of health complications. Some of these complications are very serious and require medical attention to be able to provide a proper follow-up / control, and avoid a critical situation.

-High blood pressure.

-High cholesterol and triglycerides level.

-High levels of glucose and even diabetes.

-Cardiac complications.

- Gallstones and liver problems.

-Problems in bones and joints.

It is important to know when someone is starting to struggle from obesity in order to prevent more serious consequences later on. For this, there are some ways in which someone can determine if he or she is obese. The most common are the following:

1.-Body mass index (BMI). If a person's BMI is greater than 40, it is considered a high-risk obesity. This amount is obtained using weight and height.
2.-Measurement of the waist. Women with a waist greater than 89 cm and men with a waist greater than 102 cm are more likely to develop heart disease or type II diabetes.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Currently, there are various methods that a person can incorporate into their life to lose weight and thus not put their health at risk.

-Change of habits. In most cases, people end up being obese due to the lifestyle they have: bad eating habits, sedentary life, high levels of alcohol and tobacco, among others. It is essential to recognize when we lead a lifestyle that is only damaging our health and determine what should we modify.

-Incorporate healthier foods. From time to time, it is recommended that we evaluate our diet to determine what we should change to provide more nutrients to our diet.

Remember that obesity can be prevented in most cases, therefore, we ask you to be aware of your weight and try to pay more attention to what you eat. Do not forget to balance your meals and try to exercise at least 3 times a week.