Obesity - what can be done about it?

Maintaining a healthy body weight has become a challenge, amid a large scale increase in sedentary lifestyles. A rise in popularity of a junk food culture has also added to the problem.

What is BMI (body mass index)?

In order to determine if a patient is overweight, doctors will utilise a measurement process known as body mass index (BMI). This is calculated through the division of the weight in kilograms with height in meters squared.

There are some pre-defined calculations of the BMI that define the body weight of a person. If your BMI is:

• Less than 18.5, then you are considered to be underweight


• Between 18.5 and 25, then you are considered to be a healthy weight


• Between 25 and 30, then you are considered to be overweight


• Between 30 and 40, then you are considered to be obese and more than that is severely obese

Facts and figures of obesity worldwide

Obesity is a recognized medical condition second only to smoking, as one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and diseases among people worldwide. Obesity is linked with some serious diseases, which can even lead to the death of an individual.

The most common diseases associated with obesity are heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, indigestion, gallstones, breast cancer, colon cancer, snoring problem, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Obesity is primarily characterised as the imbalance of energy in the body. If your calorie intake exceeds the amount of calories burned, you will become susceptible to weight gain.

Adult obesity is a growing problem worldwide, in addition to child obesity.

Developed nations like the US and the UK are most affected by obesity. Within these countries, people are far more likely to consume greater levels of junk food.

In addition to poor lifestyles, many people will spend a vast amount of time in-front of a computer, for excessive amounts of time, becoming or even driving for short distances, all of which dramatically reduce the amount of exercise that is undertaken. Studies suggest that obesity is a modern problem, due to an increase in convenience technology and a decrease in physical activities.

How to get rid of obesity problem?

It is up to you to maintain a healthy body weight. With a controlled diet, and regular physical exertion, the chances of becoming overweight are reduced dramatically.

A reduction in your overall alcohol intake will be beneficial, in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet.

An increase in your levels of physical activities will also prevent any weight gain, for example cycling, jogging, swimming or any of the large number of sports.