What is obesity?
Obesity is a complex health condition involving having an excessive amount of body fat. It occurs when a person consumes more calories from food and drink than their body uses for energy, activity and other functions. Over time, the extra calories lead to weight gain and obesity if the imbalance continues over several years.
There are a few key factors that lead to obesity:
- Overeating and unhealthy diets - Consuming high-calorie foods regularly like fast food, sugary drinks, and large portion sizes. This makes it easy to take in more calories than needed.
- Lack of exercise - Not getting enough physical activity to burn the calories consumed from food and drink. A sedentary lifestyle increases risk.
- Genetics and family traits - Some people inherit a higher risk based on their genes and biology. But genes alone do not guarantee obesity.
The health impacts of obesity are serious if not properly managed:
- Increased risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.
- Breathing issues like sleep apnea.
- Musculoskeletal discomfort.
- And more!
Luckily there are ways to prevent and treat obesity through healthy lifestyle changes:
- Engaging in regular exercise and activity for about 30-60 mins most days. This helps burn extra calories.
- Following a balanced, low-calorie diet with lots of vegetables, fruits and lean proteins instead of fatty, sugary foods.
- Making long-term behavioral modifications to control portion sizes, reduce snacking, improve shopping habits, etc.
- In some cases, medication or even bariatric surgery may be options if lifestyle changes are not sufficient. But these should not replace improved diet and activity levels.
At Hormone Health Clinic, we specialize in customized care plans to help clients achieve sustainable weight loss through hormone balancing, nutrition planning, accountability coaching and more. Reach out today for a free consultation to start your transformation! Idiomatically speaking, we've helped hundreds rediscover their best self - you can too! Let's interject some positive change into your lifestyle.
I hope this overview on obesity and contributing factors helps provide more insight into this health condition affecting millions globally. Please let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to discuss this topic further.