Introduction
Aside from COVID-19 and contagious conditions, obesity or having a high body mass remains one of the diseases that burden the healthcare system and contribute to chronic health issues despite being preventable. A complex disorder, obesity has always been surrounded by myths and antiscientific claims. This essay reviews current knowledge on the disease and behavioral factors to prevent new cases of obesity in patient populations and summarizes recommendations for patients.
Obesity as a Medical Condition: Genetic and Behavioral Causes
Obesity occurs due to various genetics-related and behavioral/cultural factors, so prerequisites to the condition’s development may be individual. Genetic susceptibility is demonstrated by the existence of more than 100 gene loci positively associated with elevated body mass index (BMI) levels and visceral fat accumulation (Theilade et al., 2021). Aside from that, multiple non-genetic factors, including living in an obesogenic environment, insufficient physical activity, uncontrolled caloric intake, and binge eating disorders, contribute to obesity risks (Theilade et al., 2021). The interplay of these factors creates conditions for weight dysregulation, and behavioral contributors are easier to control than purely physiological issues.
Adult Obesity and Behavioral Factors: Making Change
Physical Activity
Insufficient physical activity levels or the lack of body culture are among the major behavioral contributors to abnormal weight. A sedentary lifestyle, remote work, or limited access to physical activity assets promote an imbalance between the consumed and used calories, resulting in muscle weakness and excess fat accumulation (Theilade et al., 2021). Measures to address this factor should be carefully selected depending on a person’s age, current BMI level, musculoskeletal disorders, previous experiences with exercise, and personal preferences. As per the official physical activity guidelines developed by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should have 150 and more minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). This measure, along with the recommendation to do muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week, may serve as a reference point for patients willing to lose weight without harm (CDC, 2021). Patients with conditions hindering mobility should seek individual consultations to avoid overly intense or potentially damaging forms of exercise.
Healthier Dietary Patterns and Psychological Health
Unhealthy food choices or eating too much junk food are other common behaviors to be addressed for the promotion of healthy weight and obesity prevention. Unhealthy eating exists in numerous forms, including eating saturated fats, sodium, and sugar in excess, inappropriately large serving sizes, and other typical mistakes (Theilade et al., 2021). The ultimate way to promote positive change in dietary patterns is to follow the official dietary guidelines by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020). Aside from explaining the basics of healthy nutrition, such as consuming whole-grain foods, enough fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and clean water, the mentioned publication provides detailed advice for some subcategories of adult patients. Specifically, the document contains dieting recommendations for pregnant and lactating women, older adults, and those with common chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. Thus, almost any patient can be encouraged to follow these guidelines.
One peculiar subtype of unhealthy food consumption behaviors leading to obesity is overeating or binge eating resulting from psychological stress or mental disorders. Periods of overeating due to stress, anxiety, or other psychological issues may signify the need for using professional mental health support resources. Particularly, binge eating behaviors are successfully reduced by using self-help treatments, pharmacological therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (Hilbert et al., 2019). Thus, in uncontrolled eating behaviors, it is reasonable to get professional help or consultations to prevent obesity.
Conclusion
Finally, behavioral factors, such as exercise, dietary patterns, and psychological health, are prominent in obesity prevention endeavors. Adult patients can be advised to follow physical activity and dietary guidelines for the U.S. population or seek weight loss professionals’ assistance if they have specific health conditions. In binge eating issues, mental health interventions may be required to prevent obesity and improve self-control skills when it comes to food consumption.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Adult obesity causes and consequences. Web.
Hilbert, A., Petroff, D., Herpertz, S., Pietrowsky, R., Tuschen-Caffier, B., Vocks, S., & Schmidt, R. (2019). Meta-analysis of the efficacy of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorder.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(1), 91-105. Web.
Theilade, S., Christensen, M. B., Vilsbøll, T., & Knop, F. K. (2021). An overview of obesity mechanisms in humans: Endocrine regulation of food intake, eating behaviour and common determinants of body weight. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 23, 17-35. Web.
U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 (9th ed.). Author. Web.