Health Consequences and Management of Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

Ayesha Mushtaq

Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial disease that is becoming increasingly common among adults and children worldwide. Once considered a problem only in developed countries, overweight and obesity are down dramatically on the rise in the developing countries as well, particularly in urban setting this is particular concern for health professionals because according to recent NIH study, obese individuals have 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death from all causes compared to normal weight individuals. The national heart lungs and blood institutes (NHLBI) clinical guideline on the identification evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults states “next to smoking, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the World especially US today”. Obese individuals have second increased the risk of diabetes coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems and certain types of cancers(endometrial, breast, prostate and colon), all of which increase of mortality.

The life expectancy of moderately obese person could be shortened by 2 to 5 years while the life expectancy of a morbidly obese man with a BMI greater than 40kg/m2 is likely to be reduced by almost thirteen years. The WHO predicts that death from diabetes complication will increase 50 percent worldwide in the United States. A report from the non-profit business group conference board suggests obesity is costing United States business $45 million annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. The NH estimates total costs for obesity treatment to be approximately $17 million.

There is strong evidence that a modest weight loss of 10 percent of body weight will result in a reduction of blood pressure, fasting glucose and lipid levels. Treatment should be aggressive for obese individuals who have three or more of the following risk factors: cigarette smoking, hypertension, high LDL-cholesterol levels, low HDL cholesterol levels elevated fasting glucose levels and lipids levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, elevated fasting glucose levels and family history of coronary heart disease and age over 45 to 55 years for men and women respectively. The best way to prevent obesity is to change the setting of eating habits plus of daily routine by adding small changes in your life like using stairs instead of the elevator, drinking a lot of water, shifting to organic food, exposure of sunlight and 30 minutes exercise.

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