Overall Obesity Information
Contributing factors, health consequences, and general recommendations of obesity/overweight.
Contributing Factors
There are a variety of factors that play into obesity. Some of the potential factors are listed below:
- Energy Imbalance - the number of calories consumed is not equal to the number of calories used. Changes in the environment have broadened the food choices, availability and portion size, while technology has created time and labor saving products making society more sedentary.
- Genetics play a role in obesity. Disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Diseases and Drugs may cause weight gain. Some diseases may include Cushing's disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Some drugs such as steroids and antidepressants may also cause weight gain.
Health Consequences
People who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk for aliments such as:
- High blood pressure, hypertension
- High blood cholesterol, dyslipidemia
- Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes
- Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance
- Hyperinsulinemia
- Coronary heart disease
- Angina pectoris
- Congestive heart failure
- Stroke
- Gallstones
- Cholescystitis and cholelithiasis
- Gout
- Osteoarthritis
- Obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon)
- Complications of pregnancy such as; gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as complications in operative delivery (i.e., c-sections).
- Poor female reproductive health (such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, irregular ovulation)
- Bladder control problems (such as stress incontinence)
- Uric acid nephrolithiasis
- Psychological disorders (such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self-esteem).
General Recommendations
Physical Activity - Adults should engage in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate-intensity physical activity is an activity such as a brisk walk, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming or bicycling on level terrain. A person should feel some exertion, but be able to carry on a conversation comfortably. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine) OR - Adults should engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity 3 or more days per week for 20 or more minutes per occasion. Vigorous-intensity physical activity is an activity such as jogging, chopping wood, high-impact aerobic dancing, swimming continuous laps or bicycling uphill. It should represent a substantial challenge to a person and result in a significant increase in heart and breathing rate. (Healthy People 2010) Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.
Diet - Eat sensibly by eating a variety of foods such as whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, foods with less sugar and salt and drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
For more information about a healthy diet and serving sizes go to Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, ABC for Good Health Information gathered on 11-15-04.
References
Stunkard AJ, Wadden TA. (Editors) Obesity: theory and therapy, Second Edition. New York: Raven Press, 1993. National Research Council. Diet and health: implications for reducing chronic disease risk. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989. National Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Bethesda, Maryland: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1998. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1996.