HOL Doctors, Pharmacy

World Obesity Day

World’s Obesity Day is celebrated on 4th March every year to make people aware about it. It is now days consider a hot issue and has the attention of international audience. Obesity is a condition in which a person has abnormal accumulation of adipose tissues throughout the body or in certain parts of the body. It is linked with the distribution and quantity of fat present in the body. Human body requires a certain quantity of fat to absorb shock effects and for cushioning the body. 11-15 % body fat is needed to be present in men body and the level must not drop below 3-4%. A man is called obese if the fat level exceeds above 20 percent. Women should have fat level equal to 18-20 % of body weight. Woman is called obese when the fat level exceeds above 30%. The level must not drop below 8% .this may result in amenorrhea, disruption of the normal menstrual cycle.

TEST TO CHECK OBESITY:

Various tests are used to check the amount of fat in the body. These may include the following;

  • Pinch test
  • Hydrostatic weighing technique
  • Soft tissue roentgenogram
  • Electrical impedance etc.

CAUSES OF OBESITY:

  • It may or may not be an inherited trait
  • It could also be due to presence of excessive amount of fat cells in the body. It is observed that an average human adult has about 60 to 100 million fat cells in the body. A person is called “moderately obese” if body has 60 to 100 billion cells and is called “severely obese” if fat cell reach a limit of 200 billion and above. The size and number of fat cells present in human body are greatly influenced by the dietary habit and lifestyle of person.
  • Underactive thyroid gland may also be a cause of obesity. It impedes the ability to burn up calories. Menopause may also lead to an increased waist to hip ratio and 20% greater body fat mass.
  • Over consumption of digestible carbohydrates and fats has also been a major cause of obesity

WAYS OF CONTROLLING OBESITY:

  • Among current strategies of weight loss, the “exercise-diet-behavior” combination is a modified form and is widely acceptable all across the globe
  • Food rich in fiber, vitmins and minerals but low in calories should be selected .These may include the fruits and vegetables etc.
  • Normal diet with energy value reduced to 1500, 1200 or 800 calories are recommended.
  • Three meals a day should be eaten.
  • Water must be consumed before each meal.
  • It is not advisable to lose more than 2 to 3kg weight per month. It requires lots of hard work and patience.