With over 13% of the world’s adults dealing with obesity, it has become one of the most common illnesses and one of the most understated as well. It is unfortunate that most people are only able to view obesity as a cosmetic concern. However, it is one of the leading causes of type II diabetes, heart conditions, and several other life-threatening or chronic conditions. 

Obesity Symptoms: 

Several indicators point towards an urgent need for weight loss. Symptoms of obesity are varied and can be a few or all of the following- 

• Breathlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Lethargy
• Feeling tired 
• Inability to perform exertive physical activities
• Back and joint pain 
• Low self-esteem and confidence

BMI is defined as the ratio of your body weight to that of your height. This is a quick and reasonably accurate way to know if you are overweight or obese. However, it is essential to note that the BMI does not measure the muscle weight and fat content and may be misleading for athletic bodies that tend to have more muscle mass. 

Obesity Causes:

Several factors tend to lead to Obesity, and they can be categorized as genetic, behavioral, and environmental. Some are genetically predisposed to obesity and tend to face this problem from a young age. Our fast-paced lifestyle, along with the increasing consumption of junk food or sugary substances, leads to an unhealthily high BMI. 

Simply put, obesity is caused by an imbalance in the consumption of calories and as opposed to how many calories you burn in a day. This means if you chronically tend to consume calories that are not utilized, you are at high risk of obesity. 

Other factors are leading to excessive weight gain that cannot be overlooked. Illnesses such as depression, steroids, or the use of birth control pills are a few of the causes of Obesity.  

Financial restraints also force people to rely on unhealthy or packaged meals which contribute to an increase in weight. 

Obesity Diagnosis:

There are several ways to determine obesity. As mentioned above BMI happens to be an effective way to know if you are overweight or obese without relying on a professional. However, it can be misleading. There are several methods to measure the fat content in the body. These require supervision by a health professional- 

• Skinfold Thickness Test
• A blood test to measure cholesterol and glucose
• Screening tests such as Ultrasound and CT scan
• Thyroid Tests
• Diabetes screening

Obesity Treatment: 

The good news about treating obesity is that even small changes in your weight can make a visible difference in all the effects it has on your body. Another great thing about tackling obesity is that it tends to improve confidence and self-esteem. Here are some sure shot ways of improving your overall health and tackling obesity- 

1. Eating healthy. This includes more greens, fruits, and legumes which tend to reduce the fat intake and helps regulate a person’s weight. Understanding the five food groups and making sure you have wholesome meals will help you regulate your weight and the symptoms of obesity. 
2. It is also essential to increase daily activities and make sure you get a minimum of 300 minutes of exercise each week. This will help you burn the excess fat that has accumulated in your body.           
3. A lot of people tend to binge eat as they find comfort in food. Emotional dependence on food can be hard to fight. However, with the right support group and therapy can help one overcome this debilitating habit and help them live a healthier life. 
4. There are certain prescription drugs that help you lose weight drastically. These should not be taken unless a doctor recommends them. 

Since obesity is the root cause of many health conditions, it is necessary to take preventive measures and precautions to keep your weight and fitness in check. It will also help you feel energetic, enthusiastic, give you more confidence, and help you prevent many diseases.