Nigeria Ranks 10th In The World With Over 20 Million Obese Adults and Children!

Many people don’t think of obesity as a disease, but rather as a moral failing. I think we all need to really accept the fact that Obesity is a COMPLEX, CHRONIC disease and no one, absolutely no one is immune to it. The earlier we realize this, the better for us.

What is Obesity?

The definition of obesity varies depending on what you read. In general, it is a medical condition that occurs when a person carries excess weight or body fat that will definitely affect their health.

Common Causes of Obesity

When you take in more calories than you burn (metabolize), you gain weight. Then your body stores the excess energy as fat. If you eat fewer calories than you metabolize, you lose weight. Basically speaking, there is a balance between your calorie intake and energy expenditure and this determines your weight.

The most common causes of obesity are overeating and physical inactivity. Ultimately, bodyweight is the result of genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior, and culture.

Physical inactivity.
Overeating.
Genetics.
A diet high in simple carbohydrates
Frequency of eating
Medications
Psychological factors
Diseases
Not getting enough sleep

How do you know if you are Obese?

Now, a doctor will usually suggest that a person has obesity if they have a high Body Mass Index (BMI).

You would also probably be experiencing the following symptoms:

Breathlessness
Increased sweating
Snoring
Inability to cope with sudden physical activity
Fatigue
Back and Joint pains
Low confidence and Self-esteem
Feeling Isolated

What is BMI?

The most commonly used measure for overweight and obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI is simply a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight. If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, unhealthy eating patterns, and too little physical activity, your extra weight is definitely putting your health in danger and it suggests that you may have obesity.

The World Health Organization uses a classification system using BMI to define overweight and obesity.

A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is defined as a “pre-obese.”
A BMI of 30 to 34.99 is defined as “obese class I.”
A BMI of 35 to 39.99 is defined as “obese class II.”
A BMI of or greater than 40.00 is defined as “obese class III.”

You should definitely check this out.

Now, back to the real question that brought us here. Are you an “apple” or a “pear”?

Does it really matter where body fat is located?

The concern now is directed not only at how much fat a person has but also where that fat is located on the body. Its obvious already that the pattern of body fat distribution differs in men and women.

In general, women collect fat in their hips and buttocks, giving their figures a “pear” shape. Men, on the other hand, usually collect fat around the belly, giving them more of an “apple” shape. (This is not a hard and fast rule; some men are pear-shaped and some women become apple-shaped, particularly after menopause.)

Apple-shaped people whose fat is concentrated mostly in the abdomen are more likely to develop many of the health problems associated with obesity. They are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution. While obesity of any kind is a health risk, it is better to be a pear than an apple.

In order to sort the types of fruit, doctors have developed a simple way to determine whether someone is an apple or a pear. The measurement is called waist-to-hip ratio.

How Can You Test Your Waist-to-Hip (WHR) Ratio?

First, measure the circumference of your waist. Then do the same around your hips where the thigh bone meets the pelvis. By dividing your waist measurement by the hip measurement, you’ll arrive at your WHR. Women with WHR ratios of more than 0.8 and men with ratios of 1.0 or greater are APPLES and are at increased health risk.

Another rough way of estimating the amount of a person’s abdominal fat is by measuring the waist circumference. Men with a waist circumference of 40 inches or greater and women with a waist circumference of 35 inches or greater are considered to have increased health risks related to obesity.

Conclusion

Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern. It is a medical problem that increases your risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

“For both apple- or pear-shaped people, diet and exercise are the two most important weapons for weight loss. Adopting a heart-healthy, low-fat diet—one that’s high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and cholesterol—is also a proven method for reducing the risk of heart disease.” Other important factors include not smoking and restricting alcohol use.

We know, it can be quite difficult to change eating habits and exercise habits. But you can do it if you make a plan.

OBESITY – ARE YOU AN APPLE OR A PEAR?