HEALTH ALPHABET
Question of weight
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Obesity is a growing problem and its consequences are far-reaching.
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AFP
OVERWEIGHT and obesity are not synonymous. Overweight refers to excess body weight arising from bone, muscle, fat and water while obesity refers to an excess of body fat. For instance, a weight lifter or an athlete may be over weight from excess muscle development, but may not be obese.
Obesity is an increasingly common problem affecting a significant proportion of individuals in the developed and developing countries. It is also a problem that seems to cut across race, age and gender distinctions. It is particularly worrying that, in many developed countries, childhood obesity is a not an uncommon phenomenon.
The cause of obesity is often multifactoral and is a reflection of genetic, metabolic, behavioural, cultural and socio economic influences. In practical terms, all this can be reduced to an imbalance between excessive calorie intake and deficient calorie expenditure. Occasionally, diseases (such as an under active thyroid gland) and drugs (contraceptive pill and other steroids) can also lead to weight gain.
Measuring excess body fat is not a simple matter of recording one's weight, as the latter does not reflect body fat. Of all the techniques available, measurement of body mass index (BMI) by special tables has become the most popular method of assessing obesity. It is also important to note the distribution of fat in the body. Men tend to accumulate fat around the waist while women tend to accumulate fat around the hips. An expanding waistline certainly increases health risks in both men and women.
The consequences of obesity are far reaching and are directly or indirectly related to many illnesses: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers (E.G. colon, prostate, gall bladder, uterus), liver and gall bladder disease, joint problems, respiratory illnesses and reproductive problems. It is no surprise therefore that obesity is linked with death in the adult. In addition, there may be cosmetic, psychological and social problems. The economic consequences of obesity are significant to say the least both to the individual and to society at large.
Owing to the health hazards associated with obesity, weight loss is imperative. The formula for successful weight loss in the majority of individuals is to eat and exercise in a healthy fashion. This is often easier said than done. On the positive side, it must be appreciated that losing even a few kg can have a good impact on one's health profile.
A slow and steady weight loss programme, approved by one's family doctor is the only sensible and sustainable way of shedding weight. Rarely, one's health care provider may advocate more drastic methods such as surgery. Rapid commercial weight loss programmes, fashionable fad diets and the use of "miracle" drugs, herbal or non-herbal, must all be viewed with caution.
UMA KRISHNASWAMY
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