Obesity is a state of excess body fat in the body. It is a state commonly created due to over consumption and underutilization of calories.

There are many factors responsible for obesity. Increasing affluence, dietary habits, social and genetic factors, lack of physical exercise are commonly responsible for increase in weight of an individual. Taking a high calorie diet with no physical activity leads to increase in the fat deposited in body.   Calories derived from the fats and carbohydrates present in diet are meant to supply energy to various body parts for their functions. When not spent, they deposit in the form of fat. Other nutrients like proteins when consumed in excess of their requirement are also converted to fat in the body.

Excess consumption of fried junk food, alcohol and soft beverages results in obesity in both children and adults.  Increasing means of transport, machines to replace manual work have also contributed to increasing obesity in the modern world by reducing the amount of physical activity done.

Some diseases like hypothyroidism, adrenal tumours also cause increase in the weight of an individual. Corticosteroids or thyroid hormones can cause obesity after use over a long time.

Depression per se can cause a person to eat more and become obese. Sitting for long hours continuously as happens with desk workers in office can lead to central obesity. Central obesity in middle aged women can occur due to hormonal influence.

Whatever the reason, obesity makes one susceptible to diseases like hypertension and diabetes, Obesity is a risk factor for   heart attacks. One becomes more prone to cancers of breast, colon and rectum, e.t.c., due to obesity. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition causing pain in hips and knees is aggravated due to obesity, because the knees have to bear more weight. An obese individual tends to sweat more and hence becomes more prone to fungal infections of the underarms and groin.

As the body weight increases, body cells get adapted to that weight and demand of calories is also increased. This creates more craving for food. A fat person finds it more difficult to walk or run much or do any kind of physical activity. Thus a vicious circle is created where a person finds it difficult to check the increasing weight.

Obesity is therefore best prevented than treated.  Avoiding fats and carbohydrates in diet is a good measure to be initiated if one wants to prevent obesity. Intake of plenty of fresh fruits and raw vegetables provides energy to body and prevents obesity. Drinking 1 to 2 litres of water every day is a good practice. Excess consumption of soft beverages and alcohol should be avoided. Adequate physical exercise is a must to keep the body healthy and ward off extra fat.

Those who have become obese and want to reduce the excess fat should start doing regular physical exercise. If somebody is very busy with no spare time for exercise, he or she should try to walk to office or for any other work like going to the market, bank, e.t.c. This compulsory walking will be beneficial as compared to no walking at all. One can even walk around in the office premises or at home.

Muscle building exercises are not a good choice for one desiring to lose weight. Any exercise should be started with a low number and increased slowly. One should not exercise to the point of getting exhausted; otherwise there will be increased hunger and more intake of food.

Doing some physical work is also a good form of physical exercise. One desiring to become slim should be cautious to see that weight is reduced slowly. Crash dieting and drastic reduction of weight are bad as it causes weakness. Cosmetically, it is damaging more so in middle aged and elderly persons. When the fat over face and limbs is removed, the overlying skin gets wrinkled giving an ungainly appearance.

Obesity is not a disease by itself but a precursor of many diseases. Therefore it should be considered seriously and adequate measures taken to correct it. 

Dr Rachna Pande
E-mail – rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk