Obesity 2
Obesity
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What is it?
Excessive body fat- 20% or more above your ideal body weight
What Causes it?
Consuming more calories than the body uses- Fast Foods, Sweets
Genetic and environmental factors- 33% of weight
Socioeconomic factors- especially women
Psychological factors- negative body image
Developmental factors- increase in number of fat cells
Physical Activity- reduced physical activity
Some drugs can cause weight gain- corticosteroids as prednisone,
antidepressants, and drugs to treat psychiatric disorders
Is it Serious? YES
Can cause orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, arthritis, skin
disorders, sweat, edema, injuries, accidents, high blood pressure,
hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypercholesterolemia,
cancer-(breast, uterus, ovaries in women, colon, rectum, gallbladder,
prostate, kidney, stomach), blood clots in lungs/legs, varicose veins,
swollen legs, respiratory problems, cirrhosis/ fat accumulation in the
liver/nonalcoholic steato-hepatitis, venous stasis ulcers, gout, sex hormone
abnormalities
Facts (since 1960):
Overweight- 1 in 2 adults, 1 in 4 children, 50% increase
Increase in Type 2 Diabetes
Americans- decreased Fat intake from 42 to 34% of total caloric intake
primary source of Carbohydrates in Diet- sugars, refined starches/grains
Waist Circumference- increases risk for hypertension, glucose intolerance,
dyslipidemia- Men > 40 inches, Women > 35 inches
What can I do?
Ask your Health Care Provider- for guidance in weight loss, exercise
program
See a Registered Dietitian or see on line- for Diet/Meal Planning