Causes of Obesity: What Can Increase Obesity Risk?
A person is said to be obese if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern but is also a health issue. Being overweight can raise the risk of various diseases like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, certain types of cancers, and hormone-related diseases. It is important to consider options like health insurance to help manage the financial implications of obesity-related health issues. Obesity develops over time when the amount of calories consumed is more than that is burnt through physical activity. Some people find trouble losing weight. This may be due to inherited, physiological, and psychological risk factors.
Common risk factors of obesity
Obesity risk factors include the following:
1. Lack of physical activity
One of the major factors leading to obesity is lack of physical exercise. People nowadays are spending more time before the screen, leading an idle life. Such individuals have an increased risk of obesity. It is advisable that adults perform at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week and should do muscle-strengthening activities. However, in children, 60 minutes of aerobic activity each day can provide a lot of additional health benefits.
2. Stress
Stress can cause people to consume more food than normal, leading to weight gain. Cortisol, the stress hormone increases appetite and signals the body to store more quantity of fat leading to obesity.
3. Family inheritance
Genetics is one of the factors for obesity. Certain genes inherited from parents may affect the amount of fat stored and distributed in the body. Genetics also may play a role in how efficiently the body’s metabolism works to convert food into energy.
4. Medicines
Some medicines can cause weight gain by disrupting cells that signal the brain whether a person is feeling hungry or not. Such medicines include antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers in high blood pressure, birth control pills, etc.
5. Sleep quality
Research has shown a link between poor sleep patterns and a high Body mass index (BMI). If a person is not getting enough sleep for a minimum of 7 hours a day, then it can affect the hormone cortisol that controls hunger. Thus, the person may tend to eat more resulting in weight gain.
Conclusion
Obesity causes both physical and mental health issues. Incorporating healthy meal plans and physical activities can help in the weight loss journey. Though these activities may not provide a magic solution but can undoubtedly contribute to fat burning and slowly reduce weight. If one needs to shed weight, it's better to consult with a physician or a registered dietitian to get personalised advice.