Obesity | Understanding The Risks And Treatment Options
Obesity is a serious health issue that affects almost 42 percent of Americans. If you or a loved one are overweight or obese, it is important to understand obesity and obesity treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your health. Here's what you need to know
What Is Obesity?
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. It is typically measured by body mass index (BMI), which considers your height and weight to determine if you are at a healthy weight.
What Causes Obesity?
While it may be easy to blame the obese person for their predicament, citing a lack of self-control, it is not that simple. Obesity can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, medications, and medical conditions like insulin resistance. It is important to understand the complex nature of obesity and to be aware that many things beyond an individual's control can contribute to the condition.
Why Is Obesity Dangerous?
Being obese means that there are excess fats stored in the body, which increases the risk for many diseases and other medical conditions, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Some cancers
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
Additionally, obesity can have psychological effects such as low self-esteem or depression due to social stigma or discrimination based on weight or size.
What Are Obesity Treatment Options?
There are many obesity treatment options available, including:
Lifestyle changes.
The best obesity treatment options are lifestyle changes, including:
- Eating healthier foods
- Increasing physical activity
- Reducing portion sizes
- Drinking plenty of water instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice
- Avoiding 'junk' food, like chips
- Quitting smoking
- Improving sleep habits
Medication
Medication might be recommended depending on individual circumstances, but it should always be done under close medical supervision with appropriate monitoring measures in place to ensure safety.
Non-invasive procedures
Some doctors recommend non-invasive procedures, meaning the procedure does not involve any surgical cutting. For example, gastric balloon weight loss, also known as intragastric balloon therapy, is a procedure that involves inserting a deflated balloon into the stomach, filling it with a saline solution, and then removing it after several months. The balloon creates the feeling of fullness and helps patients lose weight slowly over time.
Surgery
Surgery is another obesity treatment option and can be considered if lifestyle modifications have not been successful. The two most common types of surgeries for obesity are gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding.
By understanding what obesity is, the potential risks associated with it, and what obesity treatment options are available to help, you can make an informed decision about how best to manage it going forward.
Contact a clinic like Vitality Family Healthcare to learn more.