The topic is obesity. Obesity

Obesity is a vast and rapidly growing health problem that can contribute to various ailments and shorten life expectancy. The World Health Organization considers being overweight dangerous if the body mass index is greater than 30 (BMI=weight/height m2; for example 100kg/1.78=32kg/m2, thus BMI=32

Classification of overweight and obesity

Along with BMI, a fat waist is also an important indicator of overweight. Waist more than 94 cm in men and more than 80 cm in women can contribute to various diseases.

As you know, obesity is not only excessive roundness of forms, which may not cause any discomfort and special feelings for its owner, it is, very importantly, a whole bunch of problems that have an extremely negative impact on human health.

Problems associated with obesity:

the risk of diabetes,
cardiovascular disease,
the risk of infectious diseases,
heart attack,
malignant tumors
diseases of the musculoskeletal system
insomnia
infertility
increases the risk of pregnancy pathologies
birth-related health risks for mother and child.

Obesity is associated with a high risk of serious complications, various diseases and the likelihood of premature death. Indeed, against its background, all internal organs and systems suffer. The scourge of modernity is the so-called metabolic syndrome (syn.: syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome), which is a combination of metabolic, hormonal and clinical disorders, expressed mainly in an increase in the mass of visceral fat, a decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and hyperinsulinemia.

Individuals with these disorders are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension, have a higher chance of getting myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke. Over the past twenty years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus around the world, which is associated precisely with an increase in the number of people with an abdominal (intra-abdominal) type of accumulation of adipose tissue. In addition, in this category of the population, the likelihood of developing venous stasis, and, consequently, deep vein thrombosis and life-threatening pulmonary embolism, is much higher than in the general population. They are more likely to experience respiratory dysfunction, hypoventilation syndrome (that is, insufficient air flow through the lungs) and suffocation (obstructive sleep apnea) during sleep.

A very severe variant is Pickwick's syndrome, named after the character in the work of C. Dickens and includes a pronounced degree of obesity, drowsiness, cyanosis, impaired rhythm of respiratory movements, secondary polycythemia (erythrocytosis) and disruption of the right ventricle of the heart.

From the gastrointestinal tract, excess body weight threatens the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease, the occurrence of which, in particular, is potentiated by increased intra-abdominal pressure, cholecystitis, gallstone disease (especially in women), pancreatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or fatty hepatosis.

Obese people often have problems with the intestines, as well as hemorrhoids, hernias. They also have a higher likelihood of developing cancer of the digestive organs (esophagus, pancreas, gallbladder), kidneys, uterus, breast in women and prostate in men. Excess weight increases the load on the joints of the legs, exposing them to degenerative-dystrophic changes (deforming osteoarthritis), on the spine, blood vessels and, of course, on the heart.

Violated in obesity and the activity of the urogenital area, reduced libido, there is impotence, infertility. And these are far from all the unpleasant aspects - against the background of obesity, the whole body suffers, both somatics and the psyche. That is why the question should not be whether to lose weight or not, but what method is best to do this.

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Problems associated with obesity

Over the course of human history, the perception of obesity has undergone extraordinary changes. In the Middle Ages, for example, it was considered a clear expression of high social status. A full woman was a model of health and sexuality, and obesity in this case rarely entailed aesthetic problems. Nowadays, however, due to the health risks, obesity is identified as one of the most serious metabolic disorders. Obesity as a problem of modern society is a topic of conversation for today.

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Photo gallery: Obesity as a problem of modern society

What is obesity?

Obesity can be defined as weight gain resulting in abnormal deposition of triglycerides in adipose tissues with a pronounced negative effect on the body. That is, not any completeness - there is obesity. Since accurately measuring the amount of fat in body tissues requires expensive and difficult to obtain research, a general method has been adopted in the field of public health for determining the degree of obesity - the so-called "body mass index".Described back in 1896 by A. Quetelet, the relationship between a person's weight in kilograms and height in meters squared gave impetus to the creation of a general scheme for calculating the mass index:

Low body weight - less than 18.5 kg/m 2

Optimum weight - 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m 2

Overweight - 25 - 29.9 kg / m 2

Obesity 1 degree - 30 - 34.9 kg / m 2

Obesity 2 degree - 35 - 39.9 kg / m 2

Obesity 3 degree - more than 40 kg / m 2

In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a weight classification standard according to this scheme. But then scientists noted that this indicator does not provide any information regarding the amount of fat, and more importantly, where it is located in the body. Namely, this is a fundamental factor in the development of obesity. The regional distribution of adipose tissue is an important aspect of identifying the degree of obesity, setting the frequency and severity of comorbidities. The accumulation of fat in the abdomen, known as android (central, male type) is associated with a significant increase in health risk, much greater than in the female type of obesity. Thus, the determination of body mass index is most often accompanied by a measurement of waist circumference. Body mass index was found to be ≥ 25 kg/m 2 in combination with a waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women, significantly increases the likelihood of complications. Among them: arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia (impaired blood lipid metabolism), atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cerebral stroke and myocardial infarction.

obesity statistics in the world

The number of cases of obesity is growing worldwide at a rapid pace, reaching epidemiological proportions. Obesity has become a problem of modern society quite quickly - over the past couple of decades. According to official statistics, currently 250 million people on the planet are diagnosed with obesity and 1.1 billion are overweight. This trend will lead to the fact that by 2015 these figures will grow respectively to 700 million and 2.3 billion people. The most worrying fact is the increase in the number of obese children under the age of 5 - it exceeds 5 million worldwide. Also of concern is the prevalence of type 3 morbid obesity (≥ 40 kg/m 2 ) - it has increased by almost 6 times during the last decade.

Across Europe, about 50% of the population is obese and about 20% overweight, with Central and Eastern Europe being the most affected areas. In Russia, the situation is extremely serious - about 63% of men and 46% of women of economically active age are overweight, and 17 and 19%, respectively, are obese. The country with the highest level of obesity in the world - Nauru (Oceania) - 85% of men and 93% of women.

What causes obesity

Obesity is a metabolic disorder of a chronic nature, as a result of a complex interaction of endogenous (genetic characteristics, hormonal balance) factors and external conditions. The main reason for its development is considered to be maintaining a positive energy balance by increasing energy consumption, reducing energy consumption, or a combination of both factors. Since nutrients are the main source of energy for humans, energy consumption is associated primarily with physical activity. Without sufficient activity, energy is spent poorly, substances are absorbed incorrectly, which ultimately leads to weight gain, obesity and the development of concomitant diseases.

Nutrition in the etiology of obesity

If a few decades ago there were doubts about the importance of nutrition in the etiology of obesity, today, in modern society, it has been proven that diet is of paramount importance here. Nutrition tracking shows that per capita energy consumption has increased over the past 30-40 years and this problem will continue into the future. In addition to this, quantitative changes are accompanied by qualitative changes in nutrition. Fat intake has skyrocketed in recent years as beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids have given way to saturated fatty acids. At the same time, there is a jump in the consumption of simple sugars, while the consumption of complex carbohydrates and fiber has decreased. Foods high in fat and simple carbohydrates are preferred for eating because of their good taste. However, they have a severe pronounced effect and an increase in energy density (calories per unit of weight) - factors that easily lead to a positive energy balance and subsequent obesity.

The Importance of Physical Activity

Continued economic growth and the violent pace of industrialization and urbanization may minimize the need for strenuous activities. Our ancestors did not have to pay for the performance of physical labor and receiving loads. Life itself forced them to do this. We, who live in cities, need to pay a considerable amount to visit a modern fitness center or swimming pool, go in for sports or undergo a session of medical procedures. Meanwhile, movement is important for maintaining the normal structure and function of almost all organs and systems in our body. Its absence without good reason will sooner or later lead to pathological changes in the organs and tissues of the body, to general health problems and early aging.

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle is most often associated with an increase in the number of metabolic disorders, in particular overweight and obesity. Interestingly, the relationship of reduced physical activity to obesity is bidirectional, i.e. lack of physical activity leads to weight gain, and overweight people find it more difficult to initiate physical activity. Thus, the accumulation of excess weight worsens and leads to the formation of a kind of vicious circle. It is the increased energy intake and reduced physical activity that is the cause of the observed jump in the prevalence of obesity at the present time. It is believed that nutrition has a greater share of risk, because through it we can more easily generate a positive balance of energy than to compensate for it later through physical activity.

Genetic obesity and heredity

Although obesity clearly has a hereditary component, the exact mechanisms behind it are not yet well understood. The genetic "codes" of human obesity are difficult to isolate, because a very large number of genotypes break down under the influence of external factors. Science knows cases when entire ethnic groups and even families were genetically determined to be significantly more prone to obesity, but it is still difficult to say that this is 100% heredity, since members of these groups ate the same food and had similar motor skills.

Studies conducted among large groups of people with significant differences in body mass index and body fat, as well as among twins, show that from 40% to 70% of individual differences are genetically determined. In addition, genetic factors mainly affect energy intake and nutrient absorption. At present, despite scientific and technological progress, it is difficult to say with certainty whether this phenomenon is genetic - obesity.

The meaning of some hormone in the development of obesity

In 1994, it was found that fat is a kind of endocrine organ. The secretion of the hormone leptin (from the Greek word Leptos, low) gives hope for the discovery of a drug to fight obesity. Many scientists began to search for similar peptides in nature in order to artificially supply them to the human body.

Leptin -adipose tissue hormone, which at the vascular level is proportional to its amount. Leptin acts on specific receptors located in the hypothalamus that send satiety signals to the brain. It lets you know when the body has received a sufficient amount of substances from food. Sometimes there are mutations of this gene responsible for the production of leptin. Individuals suffering from this mutation have low vascular leptin levels and constantly feel the need to absorb food. People constantly feel hungry and, trying to get enough, they themselves provoke the development of morbid obesity. The supply of leptin from the outside for these people is extremely important. However, often obese patients have higher serum leptin levels, but at the same time greatly increases appetite. In such cases, resistance and leptin replacement therapy has no effect.
Grelinat -It is a hormone of the gastrointestinal tract, the action of which is similar to that of leptin. It is defined as the hunger hormone. Its level rises before meals and decreases immediately after meals. Ghrelinate is being used to develop an anti-obesity vaccine that will prevent it from reaching receptors in the central nervous system and causing hunger. Often with obesity, this feeling turns out to be false, so it would be better to stop the access of the hunger hormone to the brain altogether. This is a chance for an obese patient to start leading a normal life.
Peptide YY-another hormone that is involved in the formation of appetite. Produced in various parts of the small and large intestine after meals, this hormone slows down gastric emptying, thereby improving digestion and nutrient absorption and increasing satiety. Obese people have lower levels of YY peptide. It has been found that the consumption of protein-rich foods and drinks increases the secretion of the YY peptide and prolongs the feeling of satiety.
Adiponectin -another hormone produced in adipose tissue that has a potential impact on the development of obesity. Although its role in the body is not fully understood, it is clearly demonstrated that patients suffer from obesity, having low levels of adiponectin and vice versa - after a decrease in body weight, its concentration increases. Experiments conducted on laboratory mice have proven rapid weight loss after topical application of adiponectin. Before human trials can begin, however, many questions must be answered.

Why is obesity such a significant disease?

The social significance of obesity is determined not only by the alarming proportions that it has reached among the world's population, but also by the health risks it poses. Of course, the link between overweight, obesity and premature mortality has been proven. Moreover, obesity is one of the main etiological factors in the pathogenesis of a large number of diseases that affect the economically active population of the planet and lead to disability and disability. According to official figures, about 7% of total health care spending in some developed countries is devoted to treating the consequences of obesity. In fact, this figure could be many times higher, since most of the diseases indirectly associated with obesity are most likely not included in the calculation. Here are some of the most common diseases caused by obesity, along with the degree of risk it poses for their development:

The most common diseases caused by obesity are:

Significantly increased risk
(Risk > 3 times)

moderate risk
(Risk > 2 times)

Slightly increased risk
(Risk > 1 time)

Hypertension

Cardiovascular diseases

Crayfish

Dyslipidemia

Osteoarthritis

Back pain

insulin resistance

Gout

Malformations

Type 2 diabetes
sleep apnea
Cholelithiasis

Asthma

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder with very serious health consequences. And although to some extent its development is genetically predetermined, behavioral factors, in particular, nutrition and physical activity, play a decisive role in etiology. So the appearance of overweight or even obesity - all this will depend primarily on ourselves, and everything else is just excuses.

The problem of obesity in the modern world

No other disease affects people as often as obesity. According to the latest WHO estimates, more than 1 billion people in the world are overweight. This problem is relevant regardless of social and professional affiliation, area of residence, age and gender. In economically developed countries, almost 50% of the population are overweight, of which 30% are obese. In Russia, on average, 30% of people of working age are obese and 25% are overweight. Every year the number of children and adolescents suffering from obesity is increasing. WHO views obesity as a global epidemic affecting millions of people.

Obese people are plagued by more diseases than normal weight people. The connection between obesity and such life-threatening diseases as type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, certain types of malignant tumors, reproductive disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the musculoskeletal system has been absolutely proven.

Reasons for the development of obesity

Obesity develops as a result of an imbalance in the energy balance of the body, when the intake of energy from food exceeds the energy expenditure of the body. Excess calories from what you eat is used to synthesize fat, which is deposited in fat depots. Gradually, fat depots increase, body weight is steadily growing.

In recent decades, in many countries, the standard of living has improved, the structure of nutrition has changed, and the consumption of high-calorie, high-fat and low-fiber foods has increased. All this contributes to the consumption of excess energy, and hence the spread of obesity among an increasing number of people.

Minor, at first glance, "little weaknesses" that a person allows himself, can lead to significant weight gain. For example, if you eat excess drying daily, weight gain will be 1.1 kg per year, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise - 4.8 kg per year.

Weight depends not only on what and how a person eats, but also on how active he leads a lifestyle. As a rule, a modern person leads a mainly sedentary lifestyle: he travels by transport instead of walking; uses the escalator and the elevator even in those cases when it is possible to do without them; performs work while sitting; spends a lot of time in front of the TV and at the computer, which contributes to the increase in body weight and the development of obesity.

Clinical picture

Speaking about the clinical manifestations of obesity, they mean those signs of the influence that the disease has on human organs and systems. The symptoms of obesity are:

arterial hypertension;
cardiac ischemia;
cardiomegaly, heart failure;
thrombophlebitis and thromboembolic complications;
alveolar hypoventilation;
diabetes;
hyperlipidemia;
gallstones;
cirrhosis of the liver;
thrombosis of the renal veins;
violation of the menstrual cycle;
arthrosis of the joints (spine, hip, knee joints);
decreased cellular immune response and limited phagocytic activity of granulocytes;
poor wound healing.

But the main sign of obesity is the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body.

Diagnostics

For the diagnosis of obesity, it is necessary to consider:

the age at which the first signs of the disease appeared;
recent changes in body weight;
family and professional history;
food habits;
physical exercise;
bad habits;
recent attempts to reduce body weight;
psychosocial factors;
the use of various drugs (laxatives, diuretics, hormones, nutritional supplements).

To make a diagnosis, the following studies are carried out:

determination of body mass index (BMI) in order to assess and classify obesity by severity (for persons aged 18-65 years);
determination of the ratio of the circumference of the waist to the circumference of the hips in order to determine the nature of the distribution of adipose tissue in the body (i.e. determine the type of obesity).

To calculate BMI, it is necessary to measure height (in meters, for example -1.64 m) and weight (in kilograms - 80 kg) and substitute the obtained values into the formula:

BMI also indicates whether a patient is at risk of developing comorbidities.

Classification and types of obesity

Obesity is classified according to the severity of the disease: BMI in the range of 18.5-24.9 corresponds to normal body weight. With such indicators of BMI, the lowest morbidity and mortality are observed;

BMI in the range of 25.0-29.9 indicates overweight or pre-obesity;

A BMI over 30 indicates obesity and a direct threat to health. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor for examination and drawing up an individual treatment program (table).

Classification of obesity by BMI (WHO, 1997)

body weight type	BMI, kg/m2	Risk of comorbidities
underweight		Low (increased risk of other diseases)
normal body weight		Ordinary
Overweight (preobesity)		elevated
Obesity I degree		High
Obesity II degree		Very tall
Obesity III degree		Extremely high

In different people, adipose tissue is deposited in different ways, so they secrete three types of obesity .

Abdominal (from Latin abdomen - belly), or android (from Greek andros - man), or the upper type of obesity is characterized by excessive deposition of adipose tissue in the abdomen and upper body. The figure becomes like an apple. Obesity type "apple" is more common in men and is the most dangerous to health. It is with this type that diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, heart attacks and strokes often develop.
femoral-gluteal , or the lower type of obesity is characterized by the development of adipose tissue mainly in the buttocks and thighs. The figure is shaped like a pear. Pear-type obesity is often found in women and, as a rule, is accompanied by the development of diseases of the spine, joints and veins of the lower extremities.
Mixed , or intermediate type of obesity, is characterized by a uniform distribution of fat throughout the body.

To determine the type of obesity, you need to measure the circumference of the waist and hips and calculate their ratio.

With abdominal obesity, the indicated ratio in men exceeds 1.0; in women - 0.85.

A simpler measure of abdominal obesity is waist circumference. If the waist in men exceeds 102 cm, and in women -88 cm, this is abdominal obesity and a serious cause for alarm. With a waist circumference in men of more than 94 cm, and in women - 82 cm, it is worth thinking about proper nutrition and increasing physical activity.

weight loss program

Obesity can lead to serious illnesses. And weight loss is always beneficial for the body, because it is always accompanied by:

improvement of the cardiovascular system;
reduction of shortness of breath and edema;
improvement of carbohydrate and fat metabolism;
reduction of pain in the spine and joints;
improvement in general well-being.

Getting rid of extra pounds is both easy and very difficult at the same time. On the one hand, all the recommendations are ordinary, on the other hand, they are difficult to follow. To achieve any result, it is necessary, first of all, to set realistic, achievable goals and understand that one should not rush. To lose weight without harm to health, it takes time. The rapid loss of body weight will soon lead to its increase again. Weight should be reduced gradually: by 0.5-1.0 kg per week, no faster than 3-4 kg per month. Such a slow, gradual weight loss, by about 10-15% in 3 months of treatment (example: if your weight is 100 kg, then you can lose 10-15 kg), will not only improve your well-being, but also help to maintain the achieved result for a long time.

Treatment methods

All treatments for obesity aim to reduce energy intake and/or increase energy expenditure. At the present stage, there are several methods of dealing with excess weight:

non-drug;
medical;
surgical (banding, gastric bypass).

Non-drug treatments

Establishing proper nutrition occupies a central, defining place in the treatment of obesity. Only a gradual, long-term change in the nature of nutrition, established eating habits, and not a temporary restriction on the use of certain foods, can lead to successful weight loss.

To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than the body has used so far.

It is very important to limit your fat intake. Fat is the most high-calorie component of food that contributes to overeating, as it gives the food a pleasant taste and causes a low feeling of satiety. With excessive consumption of fatty foods, the body is overloaded with calories.

It is necessary to exclude or minimize the use of foods high in fat (mayonnaise, cream, nuts, seeds, sausages, cakes, pastries, chips, etc.) and use low-fat foods (lean meats and fish, low-fat dairy products).

The basis of nutrition should be hard-to-digest carbohydrates - wholemeal bread, cereals, pasta, vegetables, legumes, fruits.

From foods rich in proteins, lean meats, fish and cheese, white poultry meat, low-fat dairy products, legumes, and mushrooms are preferred.

To fully realize your potential to lose extra pounds, you need to increase your physical activity in order to increase energy expenditure.

Its importance in the fight against obesity is too often neglected. This is due to two misconceptions. One of them is that most physical activity is supposedly associated with only very small energy costs, and the second is that increased physical activity is supposedly always accompanied by an increase in food intake, which negates its effect. The first misconception is easy to overcome by looking at the table of energy costs for different types of physical activity. For an hour of walking, for example, a person weighing about 70 kg, depending on the speed, spends from 150 to 400 calories more than usual. Running the same person burns 800 to 1000 calories per hour, cycling 200 to 600, and rowing up to 1200 calories per hour. Moreover, an obese person spends more energy on the same type of physical activity than a person of normal weight.

The second misconception that increased physical activity entails increased food intake is based on a misinterpretation of known facts. Indeed, the additional workload in a physically active person requires a corresponding increase in calorie intake, otherwise progressive wasting develops, and even death from malnutrition occurs. However, studies by scientists have shown that for individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle, there is no such dependence. Starting from a certain level of physical activity, its further decrease is not accompanied by a decrease in food intake, and therefore leads to an increase in body weight.

The simplest, most affordable and effective type of physical activity is walking 30-40 minutes a day, 4-5 times a week, and most importantly, regularly.

Although only 200-300 calories are spent on an additional hour's walk, the daily costs add up. For a year, for example, daily hourly walks will ensure the loss of such an amount of calories that is equivalent to 7-14 kg.

Whenever possible (in the absence of medical contraindications), obese persons should exercise regularly, especially children, who should not be kept on strict diets, as this can affect body growth and have undesirable psychological consequences.

However, if a person has heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, joint disease or other diseases, it is imperative to coordinate a physical activity program with a medical professional.

Medical treatment

Competent drug therapy for obesity is needed in the same way as for any other chronic disease. It will help to effectively reduce body weight, follow nutritional recommendations, prevent re-weight gain, and improve metabolic performance.

Drug therapy is not carried out for children, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for persons over 65 years of age.

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease that leads to numerous ailments and requires long-term, life-long treatment. However, many people still consider overweight and obesity to be a personal problem that can be solved on their own, and self-medicate. This is a dangerous delusion. Successful and competent treatment of obesity is possible only under the supervision of a qualified medical specialist.

It is known that obesity is a process of gradual accumulation of fat in the body, which often leads to the appearance of excess body weight. In this case, fat is deposited in special "fat depots": Subcutaneous adipose tissue and around the internal organs.

And excessive body weight is already numerous problems for its owner. Thus, most obese people usually have low self-esteem, depression, emotional stress and other psychological problems due to the prejudice that exists towards them in society.

But obesity is not only a psychological problem. Excess weight is also the cause of many serious diseases of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and also provokes the development of diabetes and certain types of malignant tumors. In obese persons, these diseases occur 6-9 times more often than in people of normal build.

Moreover, obesity, even to a small extent, reduces life expectancy by an average of 4-5 years; if it is pronounced, then life is shortened by 10-15 years. For example, data from the US National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health suggests that about 300,000 Americans die every year due to diseases caused by obesity.

In general, medical statistics show that, on average, 60-70% of deaths are associated with diseases based on disorders of fat metabolism and obesity.

But in the world, according to 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older are overweight. Of this number, over 600 million people are obese.

As for certain regions of the world, for example, in almost all European countries, 15-25% of the adult population are obese.

Moreover, in developed countries the number of overweight people is, according to various estimates, from 35 to 55%, and in some countries (Canada, USA, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and Greece) - 60-70%. Overweight women account for approximately 52% of these statistics, while men account for 48%.

Top most obese countries according to WHO from 2013.

It should be noted that in the list of the most obese nations, Russia occupies a far from leading position, although more than 30% of the country's working population suffers from overweight and obesity. At the same time, 24% of women and 10% of men are obese in Russia.

Experts are also concerned about the fact that the proportion of overweight people in the world is constantly increasing. So, in the UK over the past 25 years, the number of people prone to obesity has increased by about 5 times.

Of particular concern is the evidence that the number of overweight children and adolescents has been on the rise globally in recent years. Thus, in developed countries, 25% of the younger generation are overweight, while 15% are obese. The United States, South Africa and Italy have been hit hardest by childhood obesity.

And it has long been proven that being overweight in childhood is a high probability of obesity in adulthood. At the very least, statistics show that 50% of overweight children at age 6 begin to gain weight with age, and being overweight during adolescence increases this probability to 80%.

Given these facts, WHO in its documents recognizes that obesity has already acquired the character of a global epidemic, or pandemic.

Since obesity is a metabolic disease, like any disease, it places a certain burden on the economy. For example, WHO experts have calculated that in developed countries, the costs associated with obesity reach 7% of the budget allocated to health care as a whole.

Although it is assumed that this figure is much higher. For example, in the United States, about $150 billion is spent annually on the treatment of obesity. This figure should also be supplemented with losses from a decrease in labor productivity, disability, etc. As a result, the amount of costs increases to 270 billion dollars a year.

And in a 2012 UN report, it was noted that due to the spread of obesity around the world, labor productivity is declining, and health insurance costs are increasing to 3.5 trillion dollars a year, which is 5% of world GDP. According to statistics, back in 1995 this figure was 2 times lower.

Naturally, in order to fight obesity in people on a global or national scale, it is necessary at least to know the causes of this phenomenon. Of course, the weight of a person is to a certain extent determined by heredity. However, genetics alone cannot explain the increasing percentage of overweight people on a global scale.

Therefore, doctors believe that the main cause of human obesity (95-97%) is the discrepancy between the amount of food consumed and the energy expended by it. At the same time, some experts focus on the increasing calorie content of food, while others focus on the decrease in the physical activity of a modern person.

In fact, both are right. So, on the one hand, cooking has become simpler and faster, and the products themselves have become relatively cheap, on the other hand, various mechanisms have replaced physical labor, and many professions have become "office".

Age also plays an important role in the development of obesity. The fact is that with age there are disturbances in the work of the center of appetite. And to suppress the feeling of hunger, many older people begin to eat more and more food, that is, in other words, to overeat.

In addition, weight gain in old age is affected by a decrease in the activity of the thyroid gland, which synthesizes hormones involved in metabolism.

However, in addition to these factors leading to obesity, researchers name others. For example, many experts believe that there is a strong relationship between being overweight and education. This view is based on the assumption that when income is low and weight is low, a person tends to increase his weight as soon as income begins to rise. And then, starting from a certain level of weight and income, the opposite desire arises - to maintain or reduce weight.

Perhaps there is a rational grain in these theories. But, most likely, obesity is due to the fact that people are increasingly eating food that contains many additives that affect the biochemical processes in the body.

After all, earlier, when the population ate mainly natural food, there were much fewer overweight people than in the modern era.

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of extra pounds and an increased level of body fat. To date, the problem of overweight people is considered the most relevant in the world. According to WHO, over 600 million people on the planet suffer from a similar pathology. What is the most effective way to prevent obesity?

What is obesity?

Before moving on to prevention, it is necessary to understand where this condition comes from. Obesity is a disease characterized by the appearance of excess body weight and the accumulation of fat.

From a medical point of view, this condition is characterized by an increase in weight from 20% above normal, due to the growth of body fat. This disease brings not only psychological discomfort, but also can lead to disruption of the work of many organs. A person is at risk of such dangerous pathologies as heart attacks, strokes, etc. All these diseases can worsen his quality of life and lead to disability.

The prevention of obesity, aimed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can reduce the risk of developing such diseases.

obesity classification

In individuals who have a genetic predisposition to obesity, alimentary obesity is observed. It appears when the calorie content of food exceeds the energy expenditure of the body, which is noted in some members of the same family. When questioning patients about their diet, it turns out that they constantly overeat. Fat deposits are distributed evenly under the skin.

Hypothalamic obesity develops in individuals who develop diseases of the nervous system with damage to the hypothalamus (with tumors, injuries). Fat deposits are located on the thighs, abdomen and buttocks.

Endocrine obesity occurs with hypothyroidism. Fat deposits throughout the body are unevenly distributed and other signs of hormonal disorders are noticeable.

The degrees of obesity are classified according to the following scheme:

Preobesity. This degree is characterized by the appearance of 25-29.9% excess weight compared to normal.
Obesity 1 degree. It is characterized by 30-34.9% of extra pounds. It is considered not as a pathology, but as a cosmetic defect.
Obesity 2 degrees. Appearance of 35-39.9% excess weight. In this case, serious fat deposits are noticeable.
Obesity 3 degrees. Characterized by 40% or more excess body weight. This degree is noticeable in appearance and requires urgent treatment.

Prevention of obesity should be aimed at combating extra pounds, but first find out the causes of its occurrence.

obesity symptoms

The main symptoms of this pathology include:

the appearance of extra pounds;
drowsiness, decreased performance;
shortness of breath, swelling;
increased sweating;
stretch marks, which are located in places where excess fat accumulates;
constipation;
pain in the spine and joints;
violation of the activity of the heart and blood vessels, the respiratory and digestive systems;
decrease in sexual desire;
nervousness;
low self-esteem.

Causes of obesity

Consider what are the causes and prevention of obesity? Initially, the development of pathology occurs due to an imbalance, which is characterized by the amount of energy received from food and its expenditure by the body. Excess calories, not completely processed, go into fat. It begins to accumulate in the abdominal wall, in the internal organs, subcutaneous tissue, etc. The accumulation of fat leads to the appearance of extra pounds and dysfunction of many human organs. In 90% of cases, obesity is caused by overeating, and only in 5% of cases by metabolic disorders.

Consider what are the causes of metabolic disorders. Prevention of obesity should be based on them, so for different categories of obese people it can be very different.

The following factors lead to the appearance of excess weight:

Hypodynamia.
Decreased physical activity.
genetic predisposition.
Diseases of the endocrine system.
Unbalanced nutrition.
Physiological conditions (pregnancy, menopause, lactation).
stressful situations.
Age-related changes in the body.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease. It is influenced by both genetic predisposition and lifestyle.

Obesity, which is caused by endocrine disorders, can develop after surgery (removal of the uterus in a woman), as well as during hormonal therapy.

Sometimes there are extra pounds in the body of women during pregnancy or breastfeeding. According to statistics, they are 2 times more likely to be obese than men.

Causes of obesity in children

Depending on the factors that cause the appearance of excess weight, obesity can be divided into:

alimentary, which occurs due to an unbalanced diet and a sedentary lifestyle;
endocrine - appears in children and adolescents with various diseases of the endocrine system.

The causes of obesity in adolescents and young children are established by a specialist after examining the patient, necessary studies and conversations with parents.

If the child is full, and the parent also has an obese figure, and the diet contains high-calorie foods high in carbohydrates and fats, then most likely the baby suffers from alimentary obesity.

Extra pounds are due to a mismatch between energy intake and energy expenditure. This is due to the increased calorie content of the diet and an inactive lifestyle, resulting in the accumulation of fat.

Childhood obesity occurs due to an energy imbalance, which manifests itself in increased consumption and decreased energy expenditure.

It has been proven that if parents have obesity, then the risk of its occurrence in a child is 80%. If only the mother is overweight - 50%, only the father - 38%.

At risk are children who had a high birth weight (over 4 kg) or had a large weight gain while being bottle-fed. In infants under one year of age, obesity can occur when overfeeding with artificial mixtures or with improper introduction of complementary foods.

In many children, weight loss is due to an unbalanced diet and low levels of exercise. Usually, an obese child has in his diet: fast foods, sweet carbonated drinks, sweets, but there is no food containing proteins and fiber in sufficient quantities.

Many children devote all their free time to watching TV or a computer, but do not go in for sports at all.

Sometimes obesity in a child does not appear as a result of a hereditary predisposition, but due to serious pathological conditions (Down's disease, Cohen's disease, meningitis, encephalitis, brain tumors, etc.).

In children, obesity may appear due to psychological trauma (loss of loved ones, accidents, etc.).

Preventive measures for obesity in adults

It is important to prevent obesity in adults over the age of 40, if they lead a sedentary lifestyle. People with a tendency to be overweight need to give up excess nutrition from an early age. They can not expand the diet even on holidays.

In order to maintain a stable weight, it is necessary to constantly engage in sports and special physical exercises in everyday life. Restrictions on food and walking for 40 minutes will help in maintaining a stable weight.

To a greater extent, an increase in body weight occurs with the constant use of alcohol. In this case, appetite improves and the intake of high-calorie foods increases. For many drinkers, all excess calories eaten go to store fat. Any amount of alcohol should be completely avoided in patients who are overweight.

Due to different situations, a person has prerequisites for the development of obesity (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, etc.). A decrease in metabolism after 40-45 years can lead to the appearance of excess weight. Such periods are critical and you need to know how to properly respond to them. Primary prevention of obesity will help you fine-tune your diet and physical activity to avoid obesity. Older people who, due to their age, are not able to perform increased physical activity, should make it a rule to take walks, for example, in the park, and should also reconsider their diet.

Sweets, flour products, fruits, vegetables, which contain easily digestible carbohydrates lead to rapid weight gain. The best prevention of obesity is homemade food, because it is prepared without the use of preservatives and any "chemistry", which is present in excess in foods such as chips, crackers, snacks.

Physicians dealing with the problem of obesity Forbid their patients to go to bed immediately after eating and recommend that they walk a little. In this case, it is possible to solve the problem not only of excess weight, but also associated diseases. These include diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver, joints, etc.

Consultation and preventive examinations by a dietitian will allow early detection of weight gain and proceed to early treatment.

Prevention of obesity in adolescents and children

Prevention of obesity in children requires a careful approach. If the diagnosis is made, then two components are used for therapy - sports and proper nutrition. The whole future life of a teenager will be based on these principles. Drug treatment is prescribed only in case of comorbidities.

A nutritionist is involved in compiling a diet, who must correctly calculate the need of a growing organism for proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The menu should contain protein foods (low-fat fish and meat, cottage cheese, eggs, milk).

It is necessary to exclude from the diet: fast food, sweets, margarine, hydrogenated fats, pasta and confectionery.

The diet should include vegetables and fruits that are rich in carbohydrates. It is better to remove foods and dishes that increase appetite from the diet (rich broths, smoked meats, seasonings, spicy dishes).

Obese children have fluid retention in their bodies, so they need to reduce their salt intake. Do not let your child drink between breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The daily ration should be distributed in such a way that the main meal occurs in the first half of the day, when the child moves more and, accordingly, spends a lot of energy. Dinner should be no later than 2-3 hours before bedtime.

One of the important points in the prevention of obesity in adolescents is sports. After all, motor activity will allow you to spend the energy received from food, and not turn into body fat.

Childhood obesity is cured faster than adult obesity. Therefore, parents in the event of a pathology should begin to act urgently.

Complications of obesity

In addition to psychological problems, overweight patients have many serious diseases, which include diabetes mellitus, strokes, angina pectoris, arthritis, arthrosis, reduced fertility, menstrual irregularities, etc.

Obese people have a high risk of sudden death from existing diseases. The mortality rate for men aged 15 to 69 years, whose body weight exceeds the ideal by 20%, is one third more than for people with normal weight.

In the distant past, the accumulation of weight allowed a person to survive during a period of forced starvation. Fat women served as a symbol of fertility and health.

In the records of Indian, Greek and Roman culture, being overweight was a vice. Hippocrates noticed that fat people live a little, and obese women are barren.

Many people in the world suffer from the ingenious invention of nature - body fat. In Europe, 25% of the population is obese. In the world, there is an increase in excess weight in children and adolescents.

Obesity is becoming an actual threat and causes a social danger. Pathology causes disability in young able-bodied people, due to the development of dangerous concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, infertility in women, cholelithiasis).

The problem of the well-being of people with obesity in modern society is becoming relevant and socially significant. Society inadvertently causes its citizens to gain extra pounds by eating high-calorie foods, and technological progress encourages a sedentary lifestyle.

Prevention of obesity in many countries leaves much to be desired. Doctors have the idea that obesity is a problem of the person himself, which arises from malnutrition and lack of movement.

Therefore, the main task of overweight therapy is not only to bring weight back to normal, but also to control metabolism and prevent the development of serious diseases that have arisen in obese patients.

Finally

Obesity is a serious disease that requires the right approach to its treatment. Turning to specialists will allow you to reduce weight without gaining it again after the end of therapy and without harming the body, and increase the life expectancy of the patient.