Obesity is a public health problem and has become a global pandemic. Obesity is a risk factor for numerous conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and arthritis. The prevalence of obesity is high, exceeding 30% in adult women and men. Our body needs calories and essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to work properly but if body stores more calories than it uses, it will result weight gain and obesity. Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight while women with a BMI of 30 or more have obesity.
There are many reasons for obesity which include:
Metabolism
Body’s ability to burn calories or known as metabolism may vary for many reasons, and this can affect weight gain and loss. For instance, men usually have more muscle and less fat than women do, so men’s bodies might burn more calories more quickly. A woman’s metabolism may change throughout her life, such as with the hormonal changes that happen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Genes and Family Background
Obesity tends to run in families. But there is not one “fat” gene. There are many genes that may work together to make more likely to gain weight. The situation a person live in also affects her genes.
Age
A person’s metabolism may slow down as one get older. Also, when a person ages she loses muscle. With less muscle to burn calories, body need fewer calories.
Trauma
Women who experience a traumatic event at any time and develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to gain weight quickly after the traumatic event and develop obesity.
Medicines
Many of the medicines that women take every day, including medicines for mental health conditions, sleep, and high blood pressure, can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight.
Sleep
Not getting enough high-quality sleep can lead to weight gain.9 Researchers think this may be because low-quality sleep can affect your hormone levels, which can affect your appetite and food choices.
WAYS TO OVERCOME OBESITY
- Exercise regularly of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week to prevent weight gain. Moderately intense physical activities include fast walking and swimming.
- Follow a healthy-eating plan. Focus on low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Identify situations that trigger out-of-control eating
- Monitor the weight regularly. People who weigh themselves at least once a week are more successful in keeping off excess pounds.
