Obesity is an alarmingly rising problem in the developed world. Sometimes it makes one sit up and wonder, "Is this the price we pay for development". By definition, obesity means simply being overweight. However, the explanation of this is highly variable. While, different schools of thought continue to debate of the correct indicators of obesity, the problem remains to be sorted out.

Causes of Obesity

Obesity is known to be caused if the consumption of calories is far below the addition. Most obese people may have a habit of uncontrollable munching high calorie food. Eating food that has high saturated fat content and cholesterol is a known cause of obesity. In some people, obesity is also hereditary and in such individuals, the tolerances for food are really thin. They have to be extra careful with whatever they eat.

Measurement of Obesity

One of the more reliable methods is BMI (Body mass index) value. BMI is a function of body weight with respect to height and age. A BMI of 18.5 is underweight and BMI between 18.5 and 25 is average and ideal. A person is overweight if the BMI is >25 but < 30 and definitely Obese if BMI is >30.

The link between...

The correlation between obesity and heart disease may seem indirect, but the consequences are life threatening. It is recognized that obesity causes conditions such as hypertension, reduction in levels of good (HDL) cholesterol and increase in blood pressure. What is worse, an obese person is more likely to be diabetic, which makes all the above conditions even more worse. A person with the conditions such as these, is under grave risk of a coronary heart disorders.

Remedies and Preventive care

The way out of obesity and towards good health is gradual, continuous and disciplined. One must be dedicated to self and not look for any short cuts. There are a whole lot of ‘loose fat fast” kind of advertisements that throng the media and web space. It is tempting to latch on to one of them, but we recommend more sensible selection in consultation with your family doctor. Just a 10% reduction in weight considerably reduces the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. Not just heart disease, obesity could also lead to diabetes, sleep apnoea, Osteoarthritis, gout, gallbladder malfunction

The incentive to loose /control weight and remain fit cannot be overemphasized, can it??

Slow and steady is the best way out of obesity. Just as little as 1 pound per week, week after week is ideal. Too fast a weight loss results in loss of muscle rather than fat. Eating better, Increase in physical activity are just two simple ways to start.

Diabetes and heart disease:

Our body uses insulin to convert carbohydrates into energy. Diabetes occurs when our body does not produce enough insulin or does not use proper insulin. Approximately 13 million Americans have been diagnosed of diabetes. You can say, 7% of Americans can have diabetes but out of them 6% do not know that they are suffering from diabetes. The actual cause of diabetes is still not found. Sometimes heredity can also be a factor that causes diabetes. Early medical examination can help you avoid diabetes. Diabetes can be treated with insulin injections and a good diet with regular exercises help.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes:

Extreme thirst and hunger
Weight loss
Fatigue
Frequent urination
General irritability
Blurred vision

These symptoms can be observed regularly so one might pay no attention to them but make sure that you do the tests required to diagnose diabetes.

How is diabetes linked to heart disease?

2 out of 3 people suffering from diabetes have found to die of heart disease. Insulin uses sugar in the body which is the basic fuel of cells in the body. Insulin provides sugar that is collected from the blood to the cells. Sometimes glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells. Due to this cells may starve of energy and also high blood glucose levels affect the kidneys, eyes, different nerves and heart. This increases the cardiovascular risk that causes heart diseases. Liver makes cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatlike substance that travels around the body in tiny clumps of fat and proteins called lipoproteins. Low density lipoproteins(LDL) carry cholesterol where it is needed and high density lipoproteins(HDL) carry leftover cholesterol back to the liver. When cholesterol levels are high, LDL deposits it in the arteries. This results in hardening and narrowing of the arteries that result in heart diseases. HDL, however benefits by carrying away the cholesterol away from the arteries. Diabetes can affect the balance between HDL and LDL levels. Diabetes patients have less HDL that affects the arteries and heart muscle thereby reducing the blood flow.

How can you reduce the risk of heart disease for diabetes patients’?

A balanced diet that contains less cholesterol should be consumed. Exercises will help reduce the extra fat that affects heart diseases. Proper medication if taken can reduce heart disease risk.