Obesity Notes
Obesity Notes
Obesity Notes
Obesity isn't
just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases
and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain
cancers. Usually, obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental
factors, combined with diet, physical activity and exercise choices.
The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health
problems associated with obesity. A healthier diet, increased physical activity and
behavior changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss
procedures are additional options for treating obesity.
Symptoms
Body mass index (BMI) is often used to diagnose obesity. To calculate BMI, multiply
weight in pounds by 703, divide by height in inches and then divide again by height in
inches. Or divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
18.5-24.9 Normal
25.0-29.9 Overweight
Many doctors also measure a person's waist circumference to help guide treatment
decisions. Weight-related health problems are more common in men with a waist
circumference over 40 inches (102 centimeters) and in women with a waist
measurement over 35 inches (89 centimeters).
Causes
Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal influences on body
weight, obesity occurs when you take in more calories than you burn through normal
daily activities and exercise. Your body stores these excess calories as fat.
In the United States, most people's diets are too high in calories — often from fast food
and high-calorie beverages. People with obesity might eat more calories before feeling
full, feel hungry sooner, or eat more due to stress or anxiety.
Many people who live in Western countries now have jobs that are much less physically
demanding, so they don't tend to burn as many calories at work. Even daily activities
use fewer calories, courtesy of conveniences such as remote controls, escalators,
online shopping and drive-through banks.
Risk factors
The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you store,
and where that fat is distributed. Genetics may also play a role in how efficiently your
body converts food into energy, how your body regulates your appetite and how your
body burns calories during exercise.
Obesity tends to run in families. That's not just because of the genes they share. Family
members also tend to share similar eating and activity habits.
Lifestyle choices
Unhealthy diet. A diet that's high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full
of fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions
contributes to weight gain.
Liquid calories. People can drink many calories without feeling full, especially
calories from alcohol. Other high-calorie beverages, such as sugared soft drinks,
can contribute to significant weight gain.
Inactivity. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take in more calories
every day than you burn through exercise and routine daily activities. Looking at
computer, tablet and phone screens is a sedentary activity. The number of hours
spent in front of a screen is highly associated with weight gain.
Certain diseases and medications
Some medications can lead to weight gain if you don't compensate through diet or
activity. These medications include some antidepressants, anti-seizure medications,
diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, steroids and beta blockers.
Social and economic factors are linked to obesity. Avoiding obesity is difficult if you don't
have safe areas to walk or exercise. Similarly, you may not have been taught healthy
ways of cooking, or you may not have access to healthier foods. In addition, the people
you spend time with may influence your weight — you're more likely to develop obesity
if you have friends or relatives with obesity.
Age
Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as you age, hormonal
changes and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. In addition, the amount
of muscle in your body tends to decrease with age. Generally, lower muscle mass leads
to a decrease in metabolism. These changes also reduce calorie needs and can make it
harder to keep off excess weight. If you don't consciously control what you eat and
become more physically active as you age, you'll likely gain weight.
Other factors
Quitting smoking. Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And for
some, it can lead to enough weight gain to qualify as obesity. Often, this happens
as people use food to cope with smoking withdrawal. In the long run, however,
quitting smoking is still a greater benefit to your health than is continuing to smoke.
Your doctor can help you prevent weight gain after quitting smoking.
Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep or getting too much sleep can cause
changes in hormones that increase appetite. You may also crave foods high in
calories and carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain.
Stress. Many external factors that affect mood and well-being may contribute to
obesity. People often seek more high-calorie food when experiencing stressful
situations.
Microbiome. Your gut bacteria are affected by what you eat and may contribute to
weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
Even if you have one or more of these risk factors, it doesn't mean that you're destined
to develop obesity. You can counteract most risk factors through diet, physical activity
and exercise, and behavior changes.
Complications
People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health
problems, including:
Heart disease and strokes. Obesity makes you more likely to have high blood
pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease
and strokes.
Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can affect the way the body uses insulin to control blood
sugar levels. This raises the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Certain cancers. Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix,
endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, kidney and prostate.
Sleep apnea. People with obesity are more likely to have sleep apnea, a
potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during
sleep.
Obesity can diminish the overall quality of life. You may not be able to do physical
activities that you used to enjoy. You may avoid public places. People with obesity may
even encounter discrimination.
Other weight-related issues that may affect your quality of life include:
Depression
Disability
Social isolation
Constipation can also cause your stools to be unusually hard, lumpy, large or
small. It can be either acute or chronic and many people only experience
problems for a short period of time with no lasting effects on their health.
Causes of Constipation
There are many triggers that can cause constipation and associated
symptoms which can include:
Diet – not enough high fibre foods
Pregnancy
Lack of fluids
Slow Transit Colon
Lack of exercise
Some medicines, especially pain killers
Some people with neurological problems such as Parkinson’s
disease or Multiple Sclerosis are prone to constipation
Surgery around the anus can sometimes be a cause of constipation
mainly due to pain when emptying the bowel afterwards
Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colitis and Crohns
Disease
Ignoring the urge to open the bowels
There is a strong connection between emotional feelings and how the
gut works. Feeling upset can make your bowel slow down or speed up.
Diarrhoea is when you have frequent loose watery bowel motions. In most cases, the symptoms
resolve on their own within a couple of days without the need for medical treatment.
Diarrhoea that lasts one or two days and goes away on its own is known as acute diarrhoea, which
is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Diarrhoea lasting four weeks or more (whether
continuous or intermittent) is known as chronic diarrhoea and can be a symptom of an underlying
chronic disease or condition.
Causes
Acute (or brief) diarrhoea is usually caused by a bacterial (eg, salmonella), viral
(eg, norovirus or rotavirus), or parasitic (eg, giardia) infection of the bowels. Diarrhoea caused by
any of these infections is referred to as gastroenteritis.
Travel to places where the climate or sanitary practices differ form one's home country may cause
short-term gastroenteritis (eg from contaminated food or water) and is known as traveller's
diarrhoea. Diarrhoea associated with jet lag will usually subside in a matter of days without
treatment.
The most common causes of chronic diarrhoea are underlying diseases or conditions, including:
You should see your doctor if you are concerned that you might have any of these conditions.
Chronic diarrhoea can also occur when taking certain medications, e.g. some antibiotics and cancer
drugs.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptom of diarrhoea is loose, watery bowel motions (stools, faeces) three or more times
a day.
Accompanying signs and symptoms may include:
Diagnosis
Diarrhoea is easily diagnosed by its symptoms.
If the diarrhoea lasts longer than two or three days, or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever or
bloody stools, your doctor may perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause.
These diagnostic tests could include:
You should see a doctor if you or your baby / child develop any of the following signs:
Chronic or severe diarrhoea can lead to rapid dehydration, which is the excessive loss of fluids from
the body. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in infants and children, the elderly, and people with
weakened immune systems (e.g. people with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy).
A doctor should also be seen if you, or a family member, becomes dehydrated. The signs and
symptoms of dehydration include:
Extreme thirst
Little or no urine passed in the last eight hours
Urine is dark in colour and smelly
Reduced saliva in the mouth, dry lips, no tears, sunken cheeks or eyes
Infants may have dry nappies (for longer than 4-6 hours) and/or have a sunken fontanelle (the soft
spot on top of a baby’s head)
Dizziness, lethargy, floppiness
Rapid heart rate and breathing
Cold hands and feet
Skin that does not relax after being pinched.
Treatment
Because most cases of diarrhoea resolve on their own within a day or two, self-care to relieve
symptoms is usually sufficient for treatment:
Avoid caffeine, dairy products, and greasy, high fibre, or sugary foods
Placing a hot water bottle or wheat pack on your stomach, or taking paracetamol (e.g. Panadol),
may provide some relief from abdominal cramps
Apply zinc and castor oil ointment or a barrier cream to affected areas if you, or your child, develops
a rash (like nappy rash) from the diarrhoea
Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or
diclofenac, for pain relief as these medications can cause diarrhoea
Anti-diarrhoeal medications that slow diarrhoea (e.g. Imodium) should be avoided as these drugs
prevent your body from getting rid of the bacteria or virus that may have caused the diarrhea.
To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of liquid every day, taking small, frequent sips. Ideal liquids are
clear thin broths or soups, diluted non-caffeinated sports drinks (e.g. Powerade or Gatorade), and
rehydration formulations (e.g. Gastrolyte) that are available without prescription from a pharmacy.
Prevention
Hand washing is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria that
can cause diarrhoea. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, changing
nappies, and before meals.
The following rules when preparing food can also help prevent diarrhoea: