Weight Loss and Weight Management Information

Part 1 of 9 - How Do I Know If I'm Obese?

The definition of obesity varies depending on what one reads, but in general, it is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions. The normal amount of body fat (expressed as percentage of body fat) is between 25-30% in women and 18-23% in men. Women with over 30% body fat and men with over 25% body fat are considered obese.

Just how much of a problem is obesity?

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Over 30% of all Americans are considered 'obese'. Obesity is also increasing rapidly throughout the world, and the incidence of obesity has nearly doubled form 1991 to 1998.

What are the health risks associated with obesity?

It's not just about appearnces - it's a major cause of death! In the United States, Each year, over 300,000 deaths are directly related to obesity, and more than 80% of these deaths are in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30%. Being obese puts you at risk of suffering from a variety of other diseases, such as:

- Pre-Diabetes - Insulin Resistance. You need insulin to help your body utilize blood glucose(sugar), (which is then used for energy). By moving glucose into cells, insulin keeps the blood glucose levels in the normal range. Insulin resistance (IR) is what happens when thesending of insulin in directing glucose (sugar) into cells is diminished. Fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; IR occurs most commonly in people that are considered obese. The pancreas first tries to IR by producing more insulin. As long as the pancreas can produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, blood glucose levels remain normal. This condition (IR) is recognized by normal blood glucose levels and high insulin levels) and can last for years. Once the pancreas can no longer keep up with producing high levels of insulin, blood glucose levels begin to rise, resulting in type 2 diabetes, thus IR is a pre-diabetes condition. In fact scientists now believe that the atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) associated with diabetes likely develops during this IR period.

- Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. Type 2 diabetes becomes more likely the higher the degree and the longer one is obese. Type 2 diabetes is associated with central obesity; a person with central obesity has excess fat around his/her waist, so that the body is shaped like an apple.

- High blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is common among obese adults. Studies have determined that obese women have a greater risk of high blood pressure than obese men. The risk of developing high blood pressure is also higher in obese people who are 'apple' shaped - gut fat - rather than those who are 'pear' shaped - hips and leg fat.

- High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

- Stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA)

- Heart attack. Recent studies havefound that the risk of developing coronary artery disease increased Almost 400% in women that who were mesured to have a BMI greater than 29. A Finnish study showed that for every one kilogram (2.2 pounds) increase in body weight, the risk of death from coronary artery disease increased by one percent. In patients who have already had a heart attack, obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of a second heart attack.

- Congestive heart failure

- Cancer. While not conclusively proven, some evidence already suggests a strong link between obesity andcancer of the colon in men and women, cancer of the rectum and prostate in men, and cancer of the gallbladder and uterus in women. Another type of cancer associated with obesity is breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Fat tissue is important in the production of estrogen, and prolonged exposure to high levels of estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer.

- Gallstones

- Gout and gouty arthritis

- Degenrative Arthritis - (Osteoarthritis) of the knees, hips, and the lower back

- Sleep apnea

- Obesity, red face, difficulty breathing and drowsiness - Pickwickian Syndrome

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