Obesity: What Is It and What Are the Treatment Methods?
The answer to the question "What is obesity and what are the treatment methods?" depends on various factors. Obesity is a health issue caused by excessive fat accumulation in the body. It is often associated with insufficient physical activity, excessive calorie intake, and genetic factors. Treatment methods for obesity may include a healthy diet, regular exercise, lifestyle changes, medications that promote weight loss, and bariatric surgery. Treatment is personalized based on the individual's level of obesity, health status, and personal goals.
Obesity: What Is It and What Are the Treatment Methods?
Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the body. It is associated with insufficient physical activity, excessive calorie intake, and genetic factors. Treatment methods for obesity may include a healthy diet, regular exercise, lifestyle changes, medications that promote weight loss, and bariatric surgery. Treatment is personalized based on the individual's level of obesity, health status, and personal goals. Obesity treatment aims to promote weight loss and reduce obesity-related health issues.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity is often evaluated using a measurement called Body Mass Index (BMI), which indicates how suitable a person's weight is for their height. Obesity is defined when BMI exceeds a certain threshold. Unhealthy eating habits, low levels of physical activity, and genetic factors are commonly associated with obesity and can lead to various health problems, emphasizing the importance of weight control and treatment.
Factors contributing to obesity include excessive calorie intake, low levels of physical activity, genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, psychosocial factors (such as stress, depression), inadequate sleep, and poor dietary habits. Sedentary lifestyles and the consumption of high-calorie, processed foods also contribute to obesity.
Obesity in Children
The foundation of obesity is often laid during childhood. Each year, 2.6 million people worldwide lose their lives due to obesity-related issues. In Turkey, the prevalence of obesity, currently at 30%, is showing alarming increases. Modern lifestyles characterized by high-calorie and fast food consumption, fast eating habits, sedentary living, and bedtime snacking contribute to imbalanced nutrition and, consequently, obesity. Especially, excessive consumption of sugary, fatty, and processed foods among children triggers obesity.
What Are the Symptoms of Obesity?
The most obvious symptom of obesity is weight gain. However, obesity can also manifest with the following symptoms: difficulty in physical activities, shortness of breath, feeling of fatigue, joint pains, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, obesity can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and psychological issues.
What Are the Symptoms of Obesity in Children?
Symptoms of obesity in children may include excessive weight gain, irregular eating habits, decreased physical activity, and respiratory problems. Additionally, obesity in children can lead to psychosocial issues, low self-esteem, and a decline in school performance. Therefore, symptoms of obesity in children should not be ignored, and appropriate measures should be taken.
What Are the Symptoms of Obesity in Adults?
Symptoms of obesity in adults include being above the ideal weight range, having a waist circumference greater than ideal measurements, and rapid weight gain. Additionally, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, skin problems, back and joint pains may also be present.
Obesity Surgery: What Is It?
Obesity surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a treatment method involving surgical intervention aimed at promoting weight loss and managing health issues in overweight or obese individuals. These surgeries aim to either reduce the volume of the stomach or limit intestinal absorption to achieve weight loss. Commonly performed obesity surgeries include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD).
Frequently Asked Questions About Obesity
Obesity is a serious condition that can lead to many health problems. Here are some questions and answers about obesity:
Are Genetic Factors Important in Obesity?
Genetic factors may play a significant role in obesity. Genetic predisposition can increase an individual's risk of obesity. Family history is associated with obesity, and individuals with a family history of obesity may be genetically predisposed to it. However, genetic factors are not the sole determinant of obesity.
Do Hormones Affect Obesity?
Hormones can influence obesity. Hormones regulate appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. Imbalances in hormones can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity. Addressing hormonal imbalances may be important in obesity treatment. Hormone therapy can be an effective method in the treatment of obesity.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Obesity Treatment?
To determine if you are a suitable candidate for obesity treatment, you should consult with a healthcare professional. Obesity treatment requires a personalized approach, and every individual is different, so a professional assessment is important. Obesity treatment is personalized, and a healthcare professional will help you create the most suitable treatment plan for you.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
