Weight Loss

• What is obesity?

  Obesity is a health condition that develops because of an accumulation of excessive body fat. It can be caused by a large number of reasons, including genetics, but is more likely to affect people who have unhealthy lifestyles. Childhood obesity can be a strong indicator of weight-related health problems in later life. The NHS clarifies obesity as 'someone who is very overweight, with a lot of body fat'.

  Healthcare professionals normally use the body mass index (BMI) to work out whether a person's weight is healthy in relation to their height. A person with a BMI higher than 30 is normally classed as obese and may be advised to lose weight, but a doctor will judge that alongside other variables. Luckily obesity can be prevented and even treated through embracing a healthier lifestyle, accepting help from medical professionals or by taking prescription medication.

• Obesity causes

  Obesity usually develops gradually after a large number of calories is continually consumed and not burned off. Unhealthy eating habits (i.e. binge eating and food frequency) and poor lifestyle choices (i.e. lack of exercise) can cause a build-up of fat reserves in the body, causing significant weight gain. Many times a person's eating habits are influenced by emotional and psychological factors, but genetics can also mean that you metabolise fat in a different way to other people.

  Additional causes of obesity can include:

  • Hormones – conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and an underactive thyroid can cause weight gain.
  • Social factors – the influence of overweight or obese family members and peers can negatively affect your dietary habits.
  • Medications – antidepressants are linked to weight gain, which can then evolve into obesity when taken alongside other factors, such as those listed above.

• Obesity effects

  Being critically overweight can impact your health in a number of different ways, causing those with the condition to experience:

  • Difficulties breathing
  • Difficulty exercising
  • Increased sweating and frequent palpitations
  • Back and knee pain
  • Skin conditions such as acne
  • Gallstones

  Obesity-related diseases are amongst the most common causes of death for men and women under 75. These conditions can all be caused as a direct result of being obese:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart attack, stroke and further cardiovascular diseases
  • Type 2 diabetes