While certain ethnic groups in North Africa regard obese women as beautiful and a symbol of wealth and fertility, an estimated 300,000 lives are lost each year in the United States due to obesity-related conditions. Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death in the US after tobacco smoking. Researchers estimate the cost of obesity at more than US$100 billion annually. Obesity is not merely an appearance issue; it affects sufferers both physiologically and psychologically and has an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy. It is a grave condition that calls for increased attention from the public health community.

Obesity is caused by numerous factors: genes, metabolism, habits (both food consumption and lifestyle) environment and culture. Genes and metabolism explain only about 25 to 40 percent of body weight. A person's environment overwhelms the minor influences of biology. While genes may increase one's risk for obesity, they do not by themselves cause obesity.

For most people, obesity results from eating too much and not being active enough. The devastating factors responsible for obesity are environmental. Modern Western society encourages poor diets and lack of exercise. Fast-food restaurants promote "super size" and "value" meals, hence encouraging customers to eat more than they should. Our hectic lifestyles also leave us with little choice but to eat out, which means increased consumption of unhealthy and processed foods.

Bad eating habits also tend to run in families - rather than inheriting a slow metabolism, the habits learned from your parents can be an important factor. Childhood obesity is a strong indicator of weight-related health problems in later life, showing that learned unhealthy lifestyle choices continue into adulthood.

Television is also a protagonist in the "worldwide epidemic" of obesity with commercials urging people to buy food of low nutritional value, and by encouraging sedentary behavior. To make matters worse, many people tend to snack while watching television.

Lack of physical activity is another factor that is related to obesity. Most of us have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day, and we rely heavily on our cars to get around. Long hours at work also leave us with little time to exercise and when it is time to relax, watching television is the preferred de-stress option. The lack of physical activity means any extra calories will then be stored as fat in your body.

An obese person has a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death compared with someone of normal weight. Obesity is also associated with many diseases: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke, gall stone, respiratory system disease, gouty arthritis, degenerative joint disease, abnormality of menstruation and infertility and higher risk for some cancers (e.g., diseased uterus cancer, ovary cancer and breast cancer for women. In men, obesity increases the chance of developing colorectal cancer and prostate cancer). In addition, obesity is often associated with discrimination and prejudice, causing some obese people to suffer poor self-esteem and reduced quality of life.

Dr Ayuthinee Singhakowinta, chief of the Diabetes and Metabolic Center at Phayathai Hospital, Bangkok, explains that "to successfully manage weight and fitness, you must change your eating habits and lifestyle by exercising. Look for fun and easy ways to get more active every day. Pick exercise activities you enjoy and do it together as a family. Crash diets and obsessive exercise programs will not work."

"Weight loss programs for people who are obese should be started and followed under the care of a physician and/or a nutritionist. If you are obese, you may have several other health problems including diabetes and hypertension etc. Consult your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to start a restricted diet or exercise plan. A successful weight-loss regime may include: Exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week, adopting a low-fat and high-fiber diet, getting social support and medication," said Dr Ayuthinee.

The key (and only) reason for the success of any dietary plan is that it makes you consume fewer calories than you expend. Cooking at home is a good way to start your weight loss program. When you prepare your own food, you have control over the fat content and portion size of what you are eating. It is imperative to drink plenty of water because water fuels the body and aids digestive processes.

If the thought of going to the gym terrifies you, start by just moving around. Stay away from the couch. Walk around your neighborhood. If you are used to driving to the nearby shop for your provisions, replace the habit by walking or cycling instead. All these activities will add up and you will see the difference in your weight and fitness level. Involve your family members and loved ones in your exercise regime so that you will not easily lose your motivation. Once you reach a comfortable level, build up your routine - add cardiovascular activities as well as weight-bearing exercise to reduce fat, build muscle and develop a healthier body.

Some of us may not realize that sleeping, just like exercising, is an important component needed to achieve a successful dietary program. Studies have shown a connection between obese people and lack of sleep.

When you are tired and sleep deprived, your metabolism slows down, hence signaling your body to slow down. Allow time in your schedule for adequate amounts of sleep of at least seven to nine hours a night.

Some obese individuals, despite complying with dietary plans and exercising, still do not get the results that they desire. In these cases, weight control medication may be needed as a treatment. There are a few medications available for obesity treatment and, if required, must be supervised by a physician. While some individuals are happy with slow yet steady improvements, others prefer to opt for a more effective way out such as gastric bypass surgery.

Dr Ayuthinee advises that "such operations can carry significant risks, especially in the postoperative period and should only be performed at an experienced surgical center."

The fight against obesity cannot be won overnight and individuals who suffer from this condition have to dedicate themselves to a healthier lifestyle and eating plan, in order to attain better health. For those obese individuals who are not sure where to start, begin by talking about it with your general practitioner.

Phayathai's Diabetes and Metabolic Center provides services and treatments by experienced doctors for overweight patients. Here patients can receive efficient and effective preliminary examinations and diagnosis. Patients can feel comfortable using the trusted and respected services offered from the Diabetes and Metabolic Center to help them plan ahead and also to choose the correct treatment for their particular case. cFlyFreeForHealth2009.

Articles in this column, which will appear every two weeks, are provided by a panel of doctors from www.flyfreeforhealth.com, a leading multimedia medical tourism platform dedicated to providing adopters of healthy lifestyle with travel and lifestyle incentive. The doctors include : Ayuthinee Singhakowinta, MD.MSc. (Clinical Epidemiology), Diabetes and Metabolic Center Chief, Phayathai Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Join FlyFreeForHealth's health Internet seminar for free by SMSing your email address to +65 - 98IREACH (+65 98473224). Email us at info@flyfreeforhealth.com.

Popular

Mixed-marriage families seek priority in dual citizenship plan

Citilink expands fleet to 43 aircraft, thanks to Danantara's support

Regional leaders 'anxious' over transfer cuts, revenue-share delays