RISKS OF OBESITY

There is no doubt that obesity is a risk to the health of the person who suffers from it, it hinders the correct functioning of a person’s internal organs, but what is obesity? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as an excessive accumulation of fat that poses a health risk. Fat itself is a natural energy reserve of human beings that we share with the rest of the mammals, but, in excess, it is harmful.

Obesity has reached epidemic figures worldwide, and at this time it is estimated that at least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of it.

Obesity as a vector of other diseases

Types of obesity

Experts often turn to BMI to determine if a person is overweight.

Starting at 25.0, the higher your BMI, the greater your risk for obesity-related health problems. These BMI ranges are used to describe levels of risk:

Overweight (not obese), if the BMI is 25.0 to 29.9

Class 1 obesity (low risk), if the BMI is 30 to 34.9

Class 2 obesity (moderate risk), if the BMI is 35 to 39.9

Class 3 obesity (high risk), if the BMI is equal to or greater than 40

What is the Body Mass Index (BMI)?

We call BMI to the relationship of each individual between their height and their weight, thus allowing us to identify people who are overweight or obese. It is a widely used criterion in the medical field, although it is not completely exact, since it does not include important variables to take into accounts such as sex, age, or the percentage of body fat or muscle mass.

What are the causes of obesity?

In the vast majority of cases, overweight and obesity are the results of an unhealthy diet (rich in fats and sugars) and a sedentary lifestyle, all this added to behavioral factors harmful to health such as tobacco and alcohol.

Other factors such as age, ethnicity, menopause, sociocultural level, psychological factors, inadequate night’s rest, or taking certain drugs can influence and condition our weight.

In a small percentage of cases, excess weight has its origin in some type of genetic, metabolic, or hormonal alteration (for example, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary, Cushing’s syndrome, etc.). In these cases, obesity would be a consequence of any of these processes and we would speak of secondary obesity.

 

Classification of overweight and obesity

How fat tissue is distributed in our body makes it possible to classify obesity in two

If the proportion of fat is greater in the region of the hips than at the abdominal level, we speak of Gynecoid (also known as «pear» because of the shape it gives the body). It is more frequent in women, with an important genetic or inheritance factor, and that is related to diseases such as osteoporosis or venous insufficiency.

If the proportion of fatty tissue is higher at the abdominal level about the hips, we are talking about Android (or «apple-shaped»). This is more frequent in men, is associated with poor health habits, and is clearly related to a higher cardiovascular risk.

1. Food obesity

It predominates in the areas of the face, neck, back, and thorax. Its cause is the excesses of a bad diet. If these continue to occur, they can evolve and be highly dangerous for the body. Symptoms: a sensation of abnormal body heat and excessive perspiration.

High dietary obesity is another type of obesity that is located especially in the belly, giving it around and a disproportionate appearance. Symptoms: excess heat and a feeling of bloating and sleepiness after each meal.

2. Hereditary familial obesity

It is a type of obesity that appears as an accumulation of fat and cold cellulite in the upper external part of the buttocks and buttocks, and as a hot accumulation above the pubis, although it does not usually produce a very disproportionate aesthetic. This type of obesity evolves as successive outbreaks at certain critical moments in life.

Symptoms: excessive coldness in the buttocks and a generally slight sensation of swelling after eating food.

3. Venous circulatory obesity

This type of obesity occurs in the lower limbs and is of genetic origin. It differs from capillary circulatory obesity because it seizes during pregnancies and with the swelling of the venous walls and the formation of clots (phlebitis or periphlebitis).

4. Capillary circulatory obesity

In this type of obesity, fat accumulates in an invasive way, both in the upper and lower limbs, and is linked to genetic inheritance. It usually appears as cellulite in puberty and it takes hold until it becomes a serious circulatory problem.

5. Gluteal obesity

It is located from the waist to the knees, causing a very characteristic appearance, especially in the internal area of ​​the legs.

It begins in childhood and puberty, taking hold in pregnancies, hormonal imbalances, gynecological interventions, and when menopause arrives.

6. Nervous abdominal obesity

Fat accumulates in the anterior and central abdominal area, showing a prominent hexagon-shaped appearance.

It develops in times of greatest anxiety and stress or in depressive stages and appears in accelerated outbreaks. It is common to occur as a psychosomatic reaction during childhood.

Symptoms: fatigue and exhaustion, a special desire to ingest high doses of sugar between meals, and, above all, a belly swelling from the moment we take the first bite of food.

7. Prediabetic metabolic obesity

It is located on the belly and is manifested by a white appearance. It produces a sensation of excessive heat and bloating of the belly, even if you eat very little. The accumulation of fat occurs not progressively, but abruptly, and is usually frequent during the treatment of certain diseases, with the intake of hormonal contraceptives or during pregnancy.

8. Atherogenic metabolic obesity

The belly has a round and reddened appearance, but unlike the previous ones, it produces a sensation of local cold and causes a condition of genetic vascular origin that is considerably aggravated by the consumption of alcohol, both in drinks and in food.

There is a progressive accumulation of fat, which will accelerate in case we do not put effective solutions. Symptoms: drowsiness and excessive increase in body heat, after eating food.

9. Obesity due to sedentary lifestyle

It is becoming more and more common. Fat accumulates in the form of a float and usually appears when there is a considerable reduction in physical activity without a reduction in the consumption of fats and carbohydrates.

Fat has a dense appearance and produces a sensation of excessive heat in the area. It is vitally important to activate the body and perform daily physical exercise, being more effective if it is controlled by a specialist.

10. Hypothalamic obesity

It produces the most morbid aspects since due to a condition in the hypothalamus, the fat progressively and rapidly invades the upper part of the body, the entire belly, hips, and buttocks. It usually occurs coinciding with an emotional shock and its evolution is closely linked to depressive episodes.

Symptoms: the disappearance of satiety in meals and other psychosomatic manifestations.

To reduce and solve this type of obesity, it is necessary to combine surgical medical treatments, nutritionists, and qualified psychologists.

11. Endogenous cortisol obesity

It produces the most morbid aspects since due to a condition in the hypothalamus, the fat progressively and rapidly invades the upper part of the body, the entire belly, hips, and buttocks. It usually occurs coinciding with an emotional shock and its evolution is closely linked to depressive episodes.

Symptoms: the disappearance of satiety in meals and other psychosomatic manifestations.

To reduce and solve this type of obesity, it is necessary to combine surgical medical treatments, nutritionists, and qualified psychologists.