Obesity among women may be considered a yardstick for beauty and good fortune in a place like the Islands of Tonga, but going by the trend in modern lifestyle diseases, obesity is not just a high-risk physical condition but has become a metabolic disease and modern epidemic that causes a plethora of physical and psychological lifestyle ailments in men, women and children.
Interestingly, while Indians and Asians are genetically more prone to the more risky abdominal obesity, as per the National Family Health Survey, Andhra Pradesh is among the top five states housing an obese population (around 40%) surpassed only by Punjab, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu. On World Obesity Day (October 26), medical experts emphasize on the need for a sustained antiobesity programme and advances in surgical treatment.
Obesity occurs due to the deposition of excess fat in the adipose tissue, resulting in an excess of the acceptable body weight. Obesity is measured by the body mass index (BMI) method that estimates the amount of fat in the body. Body Mass Index is the ratio of an individual’s height to their body weight. The ideal BMI is 25. While those with BMI higher than 25 are classified as overweight, those with BMI 35 and above are termed as obese.
“Unlike the West, where the fat is evenly distributed throughout the body, in India and south-east Asia, obesity is localised round the waist and abdomen,” said consultant diabetologist and general physician Dr ANS Varaprasad, adding, “This abdominal obesity is even more dangerous and may cause ailments such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, degenerative arthritis, hormonal imbalance, gynaecological and pregnancy-related complexities, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), infertility, deep vein thrombosis and psychological problems like depression. Those who are genetically prone to obesity are more at risk of developing diabetes and other ailments at a younger age.” Health experts also point out that obesity has become a common ailment among women and children, thanks to the outsourced lifestyle and dietary habits. “We find around 30-40 % of schoolchildren are overweight and obese due to lack of physical activities and sports and consumption of processed and junk food,” said Dr Varaprasad.
Dr Sarada Bai, head, department of gynaecology, King George Hospital, Vizagsaid this problem is also being increasingly observed in women and adolescent girls. “Besides genetic predisposition and conditions like hypothyroidism, due to an increase in stress and depression among young girls and homebound sedentary life of women, they tend to eat more and put on weight, aggravating problems like social alienation and loss of self-confidence and leads to depression. Further, most Indian women neglect their health and figure post marriage and motherhood,” she said.
Pointing out that every week one or two new clients suffering from obesity join their gym, R Anusri, fitness expert and dietician at Talwalkars gym in Vizag said, “Clients are mostly women as with hormonal changes, they tend to put on weight. Also, the weight gain bounces back because once they get back in shape, they suddenly stop physical activities or going to gym. Hence, at least one hour of regular exercise coupled with a healthy, balanced diet are a must to keep the weight under control. Preventing obesity and managing weight gain is a better option than going under the surgeon’s knife.”
Interestingly, while Indians and Asians are genetically more prone to the more risky abdominal obesity, as per the National Family Health Survey, Andhra Pradesh is among the top five states housing an obese population (around 40%) surpassed only by Punjab, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu. On World Obesity Day (October 26), medical experts emphasize on the need for a sustained antiobesity programme and advances in surgical treatment.
Obesity occurs due to the deposition of excess fat in the adipose tissue, resulting in an excess of the acceptable body weight. Obesity is measured by the body mass index (BMI) method that estimates the amount of fat in the body. Body Mass Index is the ratio of an individual’s height to their body weight. The ideal BMI is 25. While those with BMI higher than 25 are classified as overweight, those with BMI 35 and above are termed as obese.
“Unlike the West, where the fat is evenly distributed throughout the body, in India and south-east Asia, obesity is localised round the waist and abdomen,” said consultant diabetologist and general physician Dr ANS Varaprasad, adding, “This abdominal obesity is even more dangerous and may cause ailments such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, degenerative arthritis, hormonal imbalance, gynaecological and pregnancy-related complexities, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), infertility, deep vein thrombosis and psychological problems like depression. Those who are genetically prone to obesity are more at risk of developing diabetes and other ailments at a younger age.” Health experts also point out that obesity has become a common ailment among women and children, thanks to the outsourced lifestyle and dietary habits. “We find around 30-40 % of schoolchildren are overweight and obese due to lack of physical activities and sports and consumption of processed and junk food,” said Dr Varaprasad.
Dr Sarada Bai, head, department of gynaecology, King George Hospital, Vizagsaid this problem is also being increasingly observed in women and adolescent girls. “Besides genetic predisposition and conditions like hypothyroidism, due to an increase in stress and depression among young girls and homebound sedentary life of women, they tend to eat more and put on weight, aggravating problems like social alienation and loss of self-confidence and leads to depression. Further, most Indian women neglect their health and figure post marriage and motherhood,” she said.
Pointing out that every week one or two new clients suffering from obesity join their gym, R Anusri, fitness expert and dietician at Talwalkars gym in Vizag said, “Clients are mostly women as with hormonal changes, they tend to put on weight. Also, the weight gain bounces back because once they get back in shape, they suddenly stop physical activities or going to gym. Hence, at least one hour of regular exercise coupled with a healthy, balanced diet are a must to keep the weight under control. Preventing obesity and managing weight gain is a better option than going under the surgeon’s knife.”
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