Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health.
A practical approach for assesing body fat in the clinical setting is the BMI (Body Mass Index), which is a measure of the weight in kilograms and height in metres.
We can also use the waist circumference and waist/hip ratio to asses body fat.
Classification of body weight using BMI
Risk factors for obesity
- High caloric diet
- Sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity)
- Genetics
- Social lifestyle eg Smoking, social class, high stress levels
Dangers of obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Infertility
- Stroke
- Depression
- Social stigmatization
- Menstrual disorders
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatty liver disease
- Asthma
- Osteoarthritis
- Gastro esophageal reflux disease etc
- Gallstone
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Cancers- Breast, Uterus, Cervix, Colon, Esophagus, Kidney, Pancreas, Prostrate
What investigations should I do if I am overweight/obese?
• Blood glucose level
• Glycosylated Hemoglobin
• Lipid profile (lipogram)
• Chest x-ray
• ECG
• Abdominopelvic ultrasound
• Regular blood pressure check
• Renal function Test
• Uric acid
nb: further investigations may be needed based on your symptoms and results
How do I help myself?
• Weight reduction
• Low caloric diet
• Low salt diet
• Exercise (150min weekly of moderate intensity exercise)
• Regular blood pressure monitoring
• Regular blood sugar monitoring
• Medications
