Abacoa & Alton Neighbors August 2020

30 Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0 What is Obesity? Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern – it is a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and specific types of cancers. Obesity can significantly damage our bodies, and people with severe obesity are more likely to have other diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and many other conditions. Where Does Obesity Come From? Obesity comes from both our genetics, and from our environment. Genetics play a role in the amount of body fat you store, where that fat is distributed., and how efficiently your body converts food into energy. Obesity also tends to run in families, but not solely due to the genes they share – family members also tend to share similar eating and activity habits. Am I Obese? When we think of the term ‘obese’ we tend to think of people who may be 100lbs or more overweight. In fact, it is a bit more complex than that, but fundamentally, obesity is characterized by a ‘higher than normal’ Body Mass Index (BMI), and considers elements such as your sex, height, and age. An calculator for BMI may be found at https://www.smartbmicalculator.com/. A healthy BMI for most body types is between 18.5 and 24.9. It is estimated that approximately 40% of Americans (2 out of 5) are obese. From a simplistic ‘height versus weight’ rule of thumb – consider the following: • Women: 100 pounds of body weight for the first five feet of height plus five pounds for each additional inch. • Men: 106 pounds of body weight for the first five feet of height plus six pounds for each additional inch Lifestyle choices that affect obesity. The first contributor to obesity is a diet high in calories, lacking in fruits and veggies, one that includes fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions. Combining a poor diet with a sedentary lifestyle is often a recipe for obesity. Hours spent working (or looking at) the computer, tablet, phone, etc., is an example of a sedentary activity. Conditions related to Obesity. Obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes, and this can nearly double the risk of death. Type 2 diabetes can also lead to amputations, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and numerous other conditions. The American Heart Association considers obesity a major risk factor for heart disease, and studies show that the risk for heart disease increases with obesity. Heart disease kills about 600,000 people every year in the United States. People with obesity have reduced lung capacity and are at higher risk for respiratory infections. They are more likely to have respiratory disorders, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (in over fifty percent of cases), and asthma. Sleep apnea episodes reduce the amount of oxygen in a person’s blood, and may lead to high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure. OSA can also cause sudden cardiac death and stroke. How can I fight back? There are many reasons why some people have difficulty avoiding obesity. Usually, obesity results from a combination of inherited factors, combined with the environment and personal diet and exercise choices. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. Dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavior changes can help you lose weight. If you need help getting your weight under control, try Profile by Sanford (www. profileplan.com) . This plan is developed by leading diabetes researchers and physicians, and is a safe, healthy way to lose the excess weight and keep it off. Prescription medications and weight-loss procedures are additional options for treating obesity. Being physically active and eating a balanced diet can help you maintain your healthy weight. The Cost to Carry That WEIGHT By Chris Wright, Profile by Sanford HEALTH & WELLNESS