Introduction
Obesity is a disorder that results due to excessive fat in the fat stores of the body. It is a chronic condition that has several consequences on one’s health. It is indicated by the Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. It is one of the major epidemics in the US and other developed countries and is seen to be the cause of preventable deaths in the US.
It is mainly caused by uptake of many calories which are not used up in the body, living an inactive lifestyle that does not involve physical activity affecting the hormones function, lack of enough sleep, and endocrine disorders. Other causes include Cushing syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and depression (Nordqvist, 2009). The condition can be treated through engaging in physical activities, good diet intake and bariatric surgery also referred to as weight loss surgery. The condition is also associated with overweight in case it has resulted from the excessive fat.
My current nutritional and fitness habits
In a country where obesity is a major concern due to advanced technology, keeping fit has been a major challenge. However, after attaining a Body Mass Index of 28, I consider myself fit enough. Indulgence in processed food cannot be avoided especially in my case where getting free time to consider a healthy snack is limited. Meanwhile, engagement in physical exercise has worked out for me as my work involves short distances which mostly I don’t require a vehicle.
Risk factors
Obesity is associated with several health risks. They include hypertension, coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, cancer, dyslipidemia, diabetes type 2, stroke and osteoarthritis (Nordqvist, 2009). Hypertension mostly accompany obesity condition as the insulin levels are raised which in turn increases blood pressure. The excess fat in the body are deposited in the blood vessels narrowing them; this results to increased blood pressure.
Coronary heart disease is mostly contributed by the narrowing of the heart blood vessels reducing the oxygen supply to the heart muscles and increased pressure. This mostly leads to heart attack or heart failure. Osteoarthritis involves cartilage and bone erosion which results due to excess pressure exerted on the respective areas by the extra fat weight. The mostly affected area is the knee joint and this condition mostly affects women. Gall bladder diseases especially gallstones mostly occur in obese persons. There is over production of cholesterol by the liver which becomes supersaturated when it mixes with bile. This forms the gallstones which are deposited in the gall bladder leading to improper functioning of the gall bladder especially on the digestion process.
Dyslipidemia is a condition indicated by high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. The excess fat is processed by the liver resulting to cholesterol and triglycerides as the end products after which the triglycerides enters the gluconeogenesis process as cholesterol is stored in the liver and the rest pumped to the rest of the body. Since the fats are excess not all the end products join the next process hence their levels rising in blood.
Diabetes type 2 is a condition where there is excess glucose in blood resulting from excess breakdown of the fats. Obesity is the major condition contributing to this type of diabetes.
Fitness habits
Due to the risk factors associated with obesity, incorporating more physical exercise including walking and jogging, attending a gym class and having enough sleep in my day to day life will improve my health. Lack of physical exercise has been indicated to be a major factor resulting to obesity. Exercise enhances the rate at which the stored energy is used up and more calories are burned up. Obesity especially in the school aged children has been associated more with lack of exercise. Exercise would strengthen the various muscles and bones of the body which would improve my weight and health.
Lack of enough sleep enhances appetite due to altered function of some hormones (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2011). This leads to consuming more food which most of them are processed. This increases the calories intake resulting to extra fat in the body. Enough sleep would promote good health hence good weight maintenance.
Attending gym would boost the physical exercise and help even to build my body shape. The fitness habits could lead to more burning of calories and more use of energy. This would ensure that, there is no excess fat in the body. This will assist in avoiding obesity hence less weight.
Nutritional habits
Nutritional habits including more intake of water, taking organic vegetables and fruits, and minimize processed food intake. The habits involves uptake of healthy food in a diet. Intake of water especially around eight glasses in a day is proven to be healthy. Moreover, it would enhance the various processes in the body.
Taking fruits and vegetables has magnificent benefits including boosting immunity and preventing other diseases. It provides vitamins and other minerals which are essential for the body (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2011). This would promote my health as my body will not lack anything. They do not contain fats or cholesterol which would lead to obesity hence maintaining weight.
Processed food including the deep fried food which is the most available contains much fat which is unhealthy. Avoiding processed food will enhance low intake of fats hence manageable weight and good health.
Conclusion
Obesity is a condition which is leading to more deaths due to risks associated with it. It should be avoided by all means and preventive measures be put in place. Though there are treatments which include surgery, preventing it by engaging in physical exercise and healthy diet remains the best option. As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”.
References
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2011). Obesity. Web.
Nordqvist, C. (2009). All About Obesity. Web.