Obesity is a complex disease which involves an excessive amount of body fat. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. If this trend continues then 177 million adults would get severely affected by obesity by 2025. This portrays a scary picture for our future generation.
BMI estimates a healthy weight based on your height.
|
BMI |
Category |
|
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
|
18.5 – 24.9 |
Healthy |
|
25.0 – 29.9 |
Overweight |
|
30.0 – 39.9 |
Obese |
|
Over 40 |
Morbidly obese |
There are many risks associated with obesity : type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, pregnancy problems, such as high blood sugar during pregnancy, high blood pressure, and increased risk for cesarean delivery (C-section). Some people have difficulty avoiding obesity, many factors should be considered before arriving at a conclusion. A combination of lifestyle choices, diet, exercise habits and heredity determine why a person has obesity. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity.
One of the major factors that cause obesity is stress. Have you ever found yourself mindlessly eating a tub of ice cream while you are sad about your latest romantic rejection, or eating a burger in front of your computer as you try hard to make a work deadline? Perhaps you’re a busy mom, eating chips in your car as you shuttle the kids back and forth from school and extracurricular activities. If you recognize yourself in any of these situations, you’re not alone and it’s probably not your fault. Stress that goes on for a long period of time may increases appetite, causes difficulty in fat loss, and interferes with our will power to implement a healthy lifestyle.
What makes us eat when we are in stress?
Scientific answer to this question is cortisol. Stress has long been suspected to be interrelated to (abdominal) obesity. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid (GC) hormone, is known to cause a redistribution of white adipose tissue to the abdominal region and in addition increases appetite with a preference for energy-dense food. Stress causes an increase in cortisol level of individuals undergoing stress and they tend to develop obesity. This cannot be generalized as not everyone’s body responds in the same way. In our modern society, the obesity pandemic coincides with an increase in factors that enhance cortisol production, such as chronic stress, consumption of food with a high glycemic index, and a reduced amount of sleep. A chain reaction is triggered by chronic stress that slows fat metabolism and makes it difficult to lose weight. Researchers from the University of Florida (UF) recently discovered that chronic stress stimulates the production of a peptide hormone called betatrophin, which inhibits an enzyme required for fat metabolism.
Co-relation between COVID-19 and Obesity
According to a study done in a Hospital in Schenzen China obese patients were seen to progress to severe COVID-19 conditions rapidly if compared to patients with health weight. There is decreased expiratory reserve volume, leading to decreased functional lung capacity. In patients with increased abdominal obesity ventilation becomes difficult. Data statistics show that the mortality rate in the USA is high as the obesity among adults is high.There is an urgent need for clinicians as well as the public to take action and bring this problem under control.
Ways to Cope with Stress and how it in turn helps in fighting obesity.
There are many ways in which stress management can be achieved.
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Keep a positive attitude. Accept that you cannot control some events. Have an assertive mindset instead of
aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
Learn and practice relaxation techniques like Yoga and breathing exercises. Exercise regularlly. A fit body is able to handle stress well.
Progressive muscle relaxation involves relaxing all the muscles in your body, group by group. To begin with you can start with a few deep breaths.Then, practice tightening and relaxing each muscle group, starting with your forehead and moving down to your toes. As you progress, you'll learn to recognize tension and tightness in your muscles and you'll be able to relax more easily.
Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Learn to manage your time more effectively.
Set limits appropriately that is prioritize on your work, relationships and keep a healthy balance.
Make time for hobbies, interests, and relaxation.
Get enough rest and sleep. Recovery time for the body is crucial from stressful events.
Never rely on alcohol, drugs to reduce stress.
Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those who uplift and encourage you.
With a calm and relaxed mind it is much easier to take control over excessive eating and to have a desciplined well balanced life. When the body starts to adapt to getting calm , the stress harmon levels come down and in turn the tendency to hold fat reduces.
One should not shy away from consulting health experts, counselors and fitness management practitioners to get to their health and fitness goals.
References:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.22818https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/43/7/1392.abstract
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html
Live healthy & Prosper!
