OBESITY

CAUSES: The following factors - usually working in combination - can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Diet: Regular consumption of high-

calorie foods increasing portion sizes High-fat and/or sugar foods

soft drinks, candy, desserts Inactivity:

Sedentary people are more likely to gain weight because they don't burn calories through physical activities

Causes:

Quitting smoking. partially due to nicotine's ability to raise

the rate at which your body burns calories (metabolic rate)

Smoking also affects taste; quitting smoking makes food taste and smell better

However, cigarette smoking is still considered a greater threat to your health than is extra weight

Post-Pregnancy. During pregnancy a woman's weight

necessarily increases. Some women find this weight difficult to lose after the baby is born. This weight gain may contribute to the development of obesity in women.

Causes:

Certain medications. Consult your doctor if this

is a side-effect for youMedical problems.

low thyroid function Some medical problems,

such as arthritis, can lead to decreased activity, which may result in weight gain.

Factors that increase your risk of obesity include:

Genetics: may affect amount of body fat you store

and where that fat is distributed how efficiently your body converts food

into energy and how body burns calories during exercise

Family history: If one or both of your parents are obese,

your chances of being obese are greater

shared environment, which may include high-calorie foods and inactivity

Factors:

Gender: Women are more likely to be obese than

are men. less muscle mass and tend to burn

fewer calories at rest than men do Age:

As you get older, you tend to be less active

amount of muscle in your body tends to decrease with age

lower muscle mass = decrease in metabolism = reduces calorie needs

Complications: If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a

number of potentially serious health problems.

High blood pressureDiabetes (type 2)Abnormal blood fatsCoronary artery diseaseStrokeOsteoarthritisSleep apneaCancer

Complications

Fatty liver disease (inflammation and scarring of the liver)

Gallbladder diseaseFertility and pregnancy problemsPhysical discomfortSocial and emotional distress

Treatment

Dietary changesIncreased physical

activity Behavior modification

Have a planSet realistic goals Avoid food triggers Keep a food journal