Understanding Obesity: The Modern Global Malady

Obesity is a global epidemic. With millions of people across the world suffering from this weight condition, medical experts truly worry what this entails for the years to come. Obesity in children is an even more worrying phenomenon as it signals an early onset of a multitude of health concern for the generations to come. Let’s understand the main causes of obesity, resulting health complications, and what one can do to maintain ideal body weight.

Obesity is not merely being overweight by a few kilograms or pounds. Experts define obesity as having a BMI (body mass index) of over 30. Some people may weight more than others due to a heavy bone structure or due to muscle. Obesity is purely associated with extra fat. More importantly, the weight gain takes place over an extended period of time and often goes unnoticed until the scales start tipping too heavily. This is why obesity can come as a surprise to those affected.

Looking At Causes of Obesity

Obesity has many different causes: some are genetic and some are lifestyle related. The main causes of obesity in the modern world are:

• Genes

Obesity generally passes on in the family DNA. Thus, if a child is overweight due to genetic factors, the weight can be very hard to lose even at a young age. Yet, it is important to remember that shedding the extra pounds is not impossible if one simply follows a healthy diet and a regular exercise pattern.

• Medical causes

Certain diseases - such as hypothyroidism Cushing’s syndrome and PCOS - can lead to obesity as a side-effect. In these cases, obesity is usually temporary and weight normalizes once medication begins. Likewise, certain medicines such as antidepressants, certain corticosteroids, and anti-epilepsy medicines can lead to excessive weight.

• Unhealthy diet habits

Perhaps, one of the biggest causes of obesity in the world. Most people in developed countries do not eat farm-fresh food and rather, rely on processed and frozen meals every day. This couples with a high intake of processed salt and sugar wreaks havoc with the body metabolism and thyroid health, thus leading to constant weight gain. An unhealthy diet is one of the major reasons for obesity in children.

• Lack of exercise

Most adults have desk jobs that require them to sit for 8 to 9 hours a day with little physical exertion. Children too prefer to watch TV or play videogames as opposed to running in the outdoors. This change in the digital age has led to a sedentary lifestyle which has seen a rise in obesity in the population. Experts recommend at least 30 of exercise daily in order to keep the body joints and muscles fit.

• Other notable causes of obesity

Suddenly stopping smoking is known to lead to weight gain, though not direct obesity unless accompanied by unhealthy eating habits. Depression and comfort eating is also another known reason for obesity. Regular use of birth control pills is one of the main causes of obesity in young women, though, the effects are slow and only seen in a few years.

Health Complications of Obesity

Obesity is a concern in itself; however, the effects of the disease are not merely cosmetic. Obesity can lead to one or more of the following health complications: • Diabetes type 2 • High blood pressure • Cardiovascular diseases • Stroke • Osteoarthritis • Thyroid problems • Breathing disorders such as sleep apnea • Certain types of cancers such as breast and colon cancer • Fatty liver disease • Infertility

Obesity Treatment Options

Obesity is diagnosed through a BMI calculation. Your doctor may also recommend other tests including blood sugar levels, liver tests, diabetes screening, and cholesterol levels. In mild cases, your doctor will simply prescribe fat loss medications, put you on a diet and exercise plan and keep you under observation for a few months. Weight loss medications usually suppress appetite, prevent the absorption of fat, and also lead to frequent bowel movements.

In cases of extreme obesity – people with a BMI of 35 and above – weight loss surgery is recommended. The procedure is known as a bariatric surgery. It is important to remember that the surgical option does not have instant results. Rather, it requires a month or two of weight loss in preparation as well as a lifelong, strict diet plan.

Homeopathy and Obesity Treatment

One of the major concerns that most people have obesity treatment is the side-effects of medication. These side-effects include increased bowel movement and a loss of appetite, among others. This is where homeopathy steps in to do things differently. Homeopathic treatment for obesity focuses on a gradual reduction in weight with none of the side-effects or toxicity of chemicalized medicines. The treatment in homeopathy helps to:

• Reduce body fat

• Normalize BMI

• Normalize body water percentage Homeopathy doctors also recommend a diet plan and an exercise routine that will complement oral medication to aid in weight loss. The medicines are natural and thus suitable even for young children. Above all, homeopathy works by boosting natural immunity to fight disease and regulate a healthy metabolism.