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Obesity and overweight are two different situations that most people think are similar. It is a fact that both obesity and being overweight are not good for health, and both of them cause severe diseases.
Obesity is a disease; it is a condition of excessive generalized deposition and storage of fat. On the other hand, overweight means that the person’s weight is more than normal, according to height, age, and sex. BMI (Body Mass Index) determines if one is obese or overweight.
A significant number of individuals struggle with obesity and being overweight.
It is known that more than 300 million people worldwide are suffering from obesity, while around 1 billion people are dealing with the condition of being overweight and its consequences. The countries having a great deal of obese and overweight people are North America, the United Kingdom, and Eastern Europe.
Obese or Overweight: Find it Out
Depending on a person’s height, there is a range of weights that are regarded as “normal” or healthy. BMI calculates height and weight to determine if a person’s weight is high or low compared to what is expected for that person’s height. Would you like to find out if you are an obese or overweight person? Check out our BMI calculator to find out your body index!
BMI Chart for obesity and overweight
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are underweight
- If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, you are in a healthy weight range
- If your BMI is 25.09 to 29.9, you are overweight
- If your BMI is more than 30, you are obese
There are also obesity phases according to BMI:
- BMI between 30-35 means moderately obese, which is Obese Class I
- BMI between 35-40 implies severely obese, which is Obese Class II
- BMI of 40 and more than 40 comes to meaning morbidly obese, which is Obese Class III People who are morbidly obese generally tend to choose bariatric surgery to start losing weight.
What Causes Obesity and Overweight?
What causes obesity and overweight? When it comes to obesity and overweight, overeating is considered the only reason causing obesity or overweight. However, it is just one of the reasons. There are also others triggering obesity and overweight. A lower level of physical activity, malnutrition, medical conditions like thyroid problems, metabolic or eating disorders, hormonal imbalance, and mental health are also essential factors that trigger obesity and overweight. All of the factors given above can cause both of them, and both conditions lead to more severe diseases and make their lives difficult.
Causes of obesity and overweight:
In a nutshell, being obese or overweight is all about the energy imbalance in the body. If there is no balance between the calories consumed and expended, you are at risk of being overweight or obese. Below, you can find out why you have an energy imbalance.
Malnutrition: High-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, micronutrient-poor foods are one of the most significant factors impacting body weight considerably.
Sedentary lifestyle with no exercise: Lower physical activity or disability is another factor bringing about overweight and obesity.
Medical conditions like thyroid problems: Underperforming thyroid problems prevent your body prevents body from using less energy, and it causes your body to store extra energy, which turns into obesity or overweight.
Metabolic or eating disorders: some metabolic and eating disorders, such as binge eating or bulimia, lead to obesity and overweight as well.
Mental health: mental health plays an essential role; some people cope with emotional distress, such as sadness and anxiety, by overeating. So, uncontrolled weight gain can be related to one’s mental health condition.
Health Risks Causing by Obesity or Overweight
The higher BMI, unfortunately, comes with riskier health conditions. People suffering from obesity and overweight also deal with severe health diseases derived from being overweight or obese. So, what are the health risks derived from being overweight and obese?
- Coronary heart diseases
- High blood pressure
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Depression & emotional disorder
How to Prevent Obesity and Overweight?
Foods lead to obesity and overweight
Obesity and overweight, which can cause severe physical diseases and psychological disorders, shorten individuals’ life spans. People should give importance to their weight, energy balance, and physical exercise to live a healthy life. A low or high BMI doesn’t do any good to a body. To prevent obesity and overweight, a healthy diet and regular exercise are the key factors!
- Reduce the fat, sugar, and salt content
- Consume healthy and nutritious food
- Avoid marketing foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fats!
For those with eating disorders like binge eating, therapy can help them prevent obesity and overweight.
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