What is obesity?
Obesity is characterized by having an excessive amount of body fat. More specifically, it refers to having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is a measure of body fat calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared.
Some key things to know about obesity:
- It's a complex disease involving multiple factors like genetics, lifestyle, environment, etc.
- It increases the risk for various health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
- Losing just 5-10% of body weight can have major health benefits for those with obesity.
So why do rates of obesity keep rising? There are likely many reasons:
- Unhealthy diets high in processed foods, sugar, refined carbs but low in nutrients. Our bodies aren't adapted to this modern diet.
- Sedentary lifestyles - we sit too much and move too little compared to our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Lack of activity impacts health.
- Increased stress and poor sleep habits. Stress hormones signal the body to store more fat.
How can someone with obesity lose weight in a healthy way? Here are some effective tips:
- Focus on making step-by-step sustainable changes, not extreme short term diets. Slow and steady wins the race!
- Choose minimally processed whole foods high in fiber & protein to properly fuel your body and balance blood sugar.
- Incorporate enjoyable aerobic and strength training activities into your routine. Start where you're at and gradually increase.
- Address underlying issues - seek counseling for emotional issues or support for conditions contributing to weight gain.