Who is obese

Scale weight is a total measure of bone, muscle, fluid, organs, and fat. Weight measurements reflected by the bathroom scale or compared to standard height and weight tables does not allow for weight changes which occur due to aging, exercise, or frame size. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on body composition and healthy lifestyles with less on body weight alone.

Fat distribution can influence a person's risk of disease. Fat carried around the waist and in the abdominal area, characterized by the "apple shape", is associated with an increased risk for many medical problems such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Fat that is mostly distributed around the buttocks and thighs is associated with a lower risk of developing these diseases.

As much as 50 to 75 percent of obesity has genetic influences. Just what those genetic influences are that affect body weight have not been identified.

Many people are tempted by ads that use celebrities to tout liquid fasting diets for weight loss. Ads claim quick and easy weight loss with use of such products. Very obese patients may be referred to these types of diets. Their diets are carefully supervised by their healthcare provider.

Fasting diets for weight loss may be right for obese persons who have serious weight-related medical problems. Rapid weight loss is the primary advantage of using these diets. This may be helpful in motivating the individual to continue with the program. This may help to support lifestyle changes which are needed for continued weight loss.

Proper use of these diets requires close monitoring and follow-up. To promote lasting weight loss, lifestyle changes must be made by the dieter while on the fast.

To achieve lasting weight loss, commitment must be given to making real changes in eating patterns. Individuals are who not committed will gain back their weight.

Binge eating can be triggered by many things such as stress, depression, loneliness or anger. Food is used as a way of dealing with issues other than hunger.

The following guidelines have been developed that may help control binge eating: - Eat only at established meal times. - Avoid keeping foods around that may trigger bingeing. - Avoid fad or very restrictive diets. - Keep a food diary and log to assess what prompted the binge.

Weight loss treatments use drugs

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects many people and often requires long-term treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. As in other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, long-term use of prescription medications may be appropriate for some individuals

People respond differently to appetite suppressant medications, and some people experience more weight loss than others. Some obese patients using medication lose more than 10 percent of their starting body weight- an amount of weight loss that may reduce risk factors for obesity - related diseases, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Over the short term, weight loss in obese individuals may reduce a number of health risks. Studies looking at the effects of appetite suppressant medication treatment on obesity-related health risks have found that some agents lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglycerides (fats) and decrease insulin resistance (the body's inability to use blood sugar) over the short term. Long-term studies are currently being done to determine if weight loss from appetite suppressant medications can improve health.

However obesity, is more appropriately considered a chronic disease than a lifestyle choice. Other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and high blood pressure, are managed by long-term drug treatment, even though these diseases also improve with changes in lifestyle, such as diet and exercise. Although this issue may concern physicians and patients, social views on obesity should not prevent patients from seeking medical treatment to prevent health risks that can cause serious illness and death.

Appetite suppressant medications are not "magic bullets", or a one- shot fix. They cannot take the place of improving one's diet and becoming more physically active. The major role of medications appears to be to help a person stay on a diet and exercise plan to keep off the weight they lose.

Because appetite suppressant medications are used to treat a condition that affects million of people, many of whom are basically healthy, their potential for side effects is of great concern. Most side effects of these medications are mild and usually improve with continued treatment.

Overweight vs. overfat

Many people may actually be overfat but not overweight. Fat can also be hidden throughout the body. A person may be overfat without the appearance of being overweight. As we age, muscle tissue is replaced with fat. This occurs despite regular exercise.

Body composition describes the percentages of fat, muscle and bone in your body. Many experts think men's bodies should be between 12 to 18 percent fat, while women's should be 18 to 22 percent fat.

Knowing your body composition can help you design a fitness program to build more fat-burning muscle. Resolving to change your body composition and not simply to lose weight, can improve your overall health.

Terms on this page

FDA

• Food and Drug Administration: A government agency that oversees public safety in relation to drugs and medical devices. The FDA gives approval to pharmaceutical companies for commercial marketing of their products.

Fat blocker

• Drugs that block the absorption of fat or calories, and lose substantial weight.

Overweight

• Weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having more body weight than is considered normal or healthy for one's age or build.

Appetite

• An instinctive physical desire, especially one for food or drink. Decreased desire to eat is termed anorexia, while polyphagia (or "hyperphagia") is increased eating. Disregulation of appetite contributes to anorexia nervosa and cachexia, or oppositely, overeating.

Diabetes

• Any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive discharge of urine and persistent thirst, especially one of the two types of diabetes mellitus.

Diet

• A regulated selection of foods, as for medical reasons or cosmetic weight loss.


• A solutions designed to reduce or suppress the appetite.

Fat

• Any of various soft, solid, or semisolid organic compounds constituting the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic groups.

Obesity

• The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.

Stress

• A state of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain.


• A physical and psychological response that results from being exposed to a demand or pressure.

Suppress

• To curtail or prohibit the activities of.


• To inhibit the expression of (an impulse, for example).


• To bring to an end forcibly as if by imposing a heavy weight.

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