obesity

What is it

Obesity is a treatable chronic disease that occurs when there is an excess of adipose tissue (fat) in the body.

Experts warn that its most negative effects occur because it acts as an agent that accentuates and aggravates in the short term and very obviously serious diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular complications (especially ischemic heart disease), and even some types of cancer, such as gastrointestinal.

With the exception of people who are very muscular, those whose weight exceeds by 20 percent or more the midpoint of the weight scale according to the body mass index (BMI), are considered obese.
Causes

There are many causes involved in the appearance of the problem. In addition to poor diet or lack of physical exercise, there are also genetic and organic factors that induce its appearance.

Socioeconomic factors may also influence. In some developed countries, the frequency of obesity is more than double among women of low socioeconomic status than among those of higher level.

The reason why socioeconomic factors have such a powerful influence on women's weight is not completely understood, but it is known that measures against obesity increase with increasing social status.

Women who belong to groups of a higher socioeconomic level have more time and resources to do diets and exercises that allow them to adapt to these social demands.

And, finally, there are the psychological factors, which for a time were considered as an important cause of obesity. They are currently considered as a reaction to strong prejudices and discrimination against obese people.

One of the types of emotional disorder, the negative image of the body, is a serious problem for many obese young women. This leads to extreme insecurity and malaise in certain social situations.

symptom

The accumulation of excess fat under the diaphragm and in the chest wall can put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing and choking, even with minimal effort.

The difficulty in breathing can seriously interfere with sleep, causing the momentary stop of breathing (sleep apnea), which causes drowsiness during the day and other complications.

Obesity can cause several orthopedic problems, including pain in the lower back (low back pain) and worsening of osteoarthritis, especially in the hips, knees and ankles.

Skin disorders are also frequent. Since obese people have a low body surface area in relation to their weight, they can not remove body heat efficiently, so they sweat more than thin people.

Similarly, swelling of the feet and ankles is common, caused by the accumulation at this level of small to moderate amounts of fluid (edema).

Prevention

Eating a healthy and balanced diet, along with the regular practice of physical exercise are key to the prevention of obesity.

Experts advise to make a minimum of five food intakes per day in small portions, as well as follow a food pattern close to the Mediterranean diet, that is, low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables.

As for sport, perseverance is essential. The recommendation is to practice it regularly at least three times a week for 45 minutes. The intensity must be adapted to the needs and the physical state of the person.