Obesity Care Week
About 70 percent of Americans today, ages 20 and older, are considered overweight. A third of them are obese. This year, October 29-November 4 is recognized as National Obesity Care Week.
The mission of National Obesity Care Week to advance an evidence-based understanding of obesity and widespread access to respectful, comprehensive and appropriate care for those who are obese.
What is Obesity?
Defined as having an excessive adipose tissue (fat tissue), obesity remains to be the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the country. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are obese are at greater risk of suffering from serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, and even some forms of cancer.
Risk Factors
There are several factors that contribute to obesity. Some of these include genetics, family lifestyle, inactivity, unhealthy diet, certain medical conditions and medications, and lack of sleep.
- Genetics
Genes can play a role in obesity. One’s genes can affect the amount of fat one has and may also affect how the body converts food into energy and how it efficiently burns calories during exercise. - Family Lifestyle
Families tend to share similar lifestyle habits including diet. Those who are born in a family with a parent or both who are obese, are more likely to become obese too. - Unhealthy Diet
Consuming high-caloric, highly-processed food puts one at a greater risk of becoming obese, especially if this coincides with a sedentary lifestyle. - Medical Conditions and Medications
There are some medical conditions and medications that can lead to weight gain. These include medical problems like Prader-Willi and Cushing’s syndrome and drugs like steroids and beta blockers. - Lack of Sleep
Research has shown that the lack of sleep can cause a change in hormones that can increase one’s appetite and cravings for food high in calories and rich in carbohydrates.
What Can You Do?
Obese individuals can dramatically reduce their risk of developing potentially dangerous health problems by losing weight. This can be done through a change in diet, engaging in a regular physical activity, and getting sufficient sleep.
However, if these alone do not work, one can benefit from a weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery is indicated for those with a BMI of over 40, or 35 with one or more significant comorbid conditions.
If you or a loved one is obese and have been unsuccessful in weight loss through dieting or lifestyle changes alone, weight loss surgery may be right for you.
The team at Foothills Weight Loss Specialists in Knoxville can help you determine if this is the right option for you or them. Since 2002, Foothills Weight Loss Specialists have helped over 2,000 individuals lose weight through bariatric surgery.
For more information, call 865-984-3413 or request a consultation online.