Cause of obesity
Problem of obesity
What is BMI?
What is morbid obesity?
Metabolic Syndrome
Options of weight reduction
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Cause of obesity
Weight gain and obesity are caused by consuming more calories than the body needs – most commonly by eating
a diet high in fat and calories, being sedentary or both. However, the imbalance between calories consumed
and calories burned can also be caused by a number of different obesity-related factors, including genetic,
hormonal, behavioral, environmental and even cultural. It is important to remember that obesity is not always
simply a behavioral issue.
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Genetic
factor
Obesity tends to occur in family and it is difficult to separate hereditary cause and environmental cause
within an obese family. The discovery of Obese Gene (Ob gene) in 1995 provide an important evidence of
genetic predisposition of obesity. Ob gene governs the production of hormone "Leptin" (Latin – lepti = lean)
from fat cells. This hormone acts within our brain and control our appetite (satiety) and efficiency of
energy expenditure (metabolic rate). Obese peoples tend to be less responsive to this "lean hormone" which
leads to fat accumulation.
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Environmental
factor
Apart from genetic factor, environmental influence places an important role in development of obesity.
Environmental factors include lifestyle and eating habits. In modern society, our choice of food is
largely dependent on taste and convenience rather than nutritional value. High calories diet (high fat,
high carbohydrate) is the main cause of excessive calorie intake. As we cannot modify our genetic makeup,
weight control is largely depends on our diet and daily behavior. Effective ways of weigh control includes:
1. Avoids high fat diet (ice-cream, deep fry oily stir dishes)
2. Avoids junk food and gluttonous eating habit
3. Increase energy expenditure with regular exercise (>30min / day; >150min / week)
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Psychological and behavioral factor
Our psychological status is closely related to our eating behavior. Over-eating behavior is a common
manifestation of anxiety, depression, stress and loneness. In extreme, some people will develop more
severe psychiatric problem such as Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Patients with eating
disorder will find difficulty in control their eating habit and sometimes require special medical
and psychological attention.
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Others
metabolic disease
Illnesses can also lead to obesity. Some of these include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome,
depression, and other neurological problems. The use of steroids and certain antidepressants
can also lead to weight gain.
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