Obesity symptoms to observe and practices to follow for curbing obesity
Obesity is considered an epidemic in the United States and most other developing countries. The majority of people around you are overweight. Being slightly overweight is not that dangerous, but obesity is a huge medical issue that requires your attention. So, let us understand the obesity symptoms and what exactly is the difference between being obese and overweight.
We tend to overeat at times, and surplus calories are accumulated in our bodies, resulting in weight gain. Normally, we tend to burn calories, but when there is a regular occurrence of calorie surplus in your body, and you continue to gain weight in an abnormal manner, you tend to get obese.
What is obesity?
Obesity is categorized as a chronic illness which means it sticks with you for a more extended period and has severe consequences on your body.
A person is considered obese when his BMI, which is his body mass index, is greater than 30. Here at The Health Fortune, we want you to calculate and see what your weight status is?
- Below 18.5 BMI – Underweight
- Between 18.5 to 24.9 – Normal
- Between 25.0 to 29.9- Overweight
- Greater than 30- Obese
- Greater than 40- Morbidly obese
If your BMI has crossed the threshold of 30, it is time for you to alarm yourself and pay attention to your physical fitness.
Obesity symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of obesity that one can observe in their body?
Here we have shared a few symptoms based on your age group, as in many cases, a person might not have much body fat but does qualify as obese based on the BMI calculations.
Obesity symptoms in adults
- Excessive body fat, especially around the waist.
- Very low stamina and shortness of breath.
- Shortness of breath without any physical movement.
- Suffering from psychological issues like depression, social isolation, and low self-esteem.
- Having some eating disorders, like overeating during stress.
- Insomnia that is facing trouble while falling asleep.
- Excessive sweating, more than normal.
- Skin abnormalities like cellulite, skin tags, and abnormal thickening and darkening of the skin due to excessive moisture.
- Noticeable difference in stamina and inability to perform simple tasks.
- Joint and back pains.
- Fatigue and tiredness.
Obesity symptoms in children and adolescents
Children in the age group of 5 to 18 years of age fall under this category. Obesity symptoms in children and adolescents are-
- Stretch marks around the waist, neck, and thigh area.
- Chronic breathing issues like sleep apnea.
- Heartburn and acidity problems.
- Constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Dislocated hips and flat feet
- Delayed puberty in boys and early puberty in the case of girls.
- Dark and tan skin in different areas of the body.
Obesity symptoms in case of morbid obesity
Morbid obesity is a severe case of obesity where the BMI has crossed 35, and the person has to experience other consequences like high blood pressure, difficulty in walking, diabetes, etc. Here all the symptoms of obesity are applicable, and the person needs to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
In case of morbid obesity, doctors suggest immediate action as a person finds it difficult to walk and do physical work and has an extreme risk of cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis.
Complications due to obesity
Obesity is a severe condition where you must get yourself checked with regular medical checkups as obesity will affect other body parts as well.
Here at The Health Fortune, we want you to be cautious of any symptom you might observe in yourself. Here we have shared a few health issues that you might face if you are obese.
- Cardiovascular disease is like a certain increase or decrease in heart rate.
- High cholesterol and high blood pressure might lead to other complications.
- Fatty liver
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Chronic high blood pressure can damage kidneys.
- Osteoarthritis, which means the bones and joints get damaged due to excessive weight of your body.
- Sleep Apnea fat deposits around your neck and other body parts.
Practices to follow for curing obesity
The Health Fortune will guide you through the behavioral and lifestyle changes that a person must incorporate to stay fit and healthy.
- If you find it tough to maintain a regular exercise regime, you can use various applications available to maintain a calorie deficit in your diet. Record your calorie intake and the amount of physical activity you need to do on a daily basis to keep your calorie deficit in order.
- A balanced diet is one of the significant steps that everyone should stick to—eating all the nutrients and incorporating them in your meals to avoid different cravings and the sudden urge to eat snacks at odd hours during the day.
- Physical activity has become a task for everyone as we all keep looking for our comfort zones to complete our daily work targets. This often keeps us on the couch or sitting on our tables for long hours. You must get yourself a gym membership or a physical activity, be consistent and push your stamina every day to see visible results.
- Focus on reducing your mental stress. Usually, we get prone to eating disorders when we face some mental stress in our lives. We often neglect healthy fats and start consuming bad fats.
- Insomnia has become a common problem among adults and teenagers. This is sometimes the result of overconsumption of caffeine. It is vital to sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours, and if you are already overweight, you must take 8 hours of quality sleep.
- Take your meals on time and do not skip any meals. We often skip meals thinking that we might lose weight, but we end up gaining extra kilos as we start craving and end up consuming more than usual. It is essential that you keep a difference of at least 4 hours between your last meal and before you go to sleep.
Frequently people ask that can a person be overweight and still be healthy? Yes, this is possible when excessive weight accounts for muscle weight and not fat. This makes it essential for you to consult a doctor in case you find yourself having any of the obesity symptoms. Do not forget to make efforts to have a healthy lifestyle and come out of your comfort zones.