Dear Jenn,

My doctor informed me that I need to lose weight. Apparently, I fall in to the “obese” category on the charts. I was told that obesity is a “disease.” Is it? Can you clarify?

Sincerely,

Apparently, Excessive Pound Person

Dear Apparently, Excessive Pound Person,

It must have been a shock to be informed that you have a weight disease. Obesity is indeed considered a disease but it is treatable. Let me explain…

Definitions & Distinctions

Chronic Disease is defined on the basis of the biomedical disease such as: diabetes, heart disease and/or arthritis. It is a condition that lasts a year or more and requires medical attention and limits activities of daily living (ADL). Also, it is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

Chronic Illness is the personal experience of living with the condition of and /or symptoms of the chronic disease.

Trends show the general direction something is developing. There is an overall increase in these chronic diseases: heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, renal failure and Alzheimer’s disease.

Obesity Is Declared A Disease

The National Institutes of Health declared obesity a disease in 1998, and the American Obesity Society did so in 2008.

Defining obesity as a disease should spur physicians and patients—and insurers—to regard it as a serious medical issue. One in three Americans is obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control (2013).

According to the American Medical Association, February 8, 2017, obesity, with its contribution to illnesses, is now recognized as a chronic disease in and of itself.

Classifictions

Type-1 Obesity is caused by excessive caloric intake and a lack of physical activity.

Type-2 Obesity is caused by a primary disease. Examples of primary diseases that can cause obesity are the following: Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian disease and insulinoma.

Determining Obese Status

Weight comes from muscle, bone, fat and body water. Obesity means having too much body fat. Overweight means weighing too much. Both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.

Obesity is determined by the body mass index (BMI). The BMI is a value derived from the weight and height of a person.—Wikipedia

A BMI less than 18.5 is in the underweight range. A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is within the healthy weight range. A BMI of 25.0 to 30 falls within the overweight range. And a BMI of 30.0 or higher is termed obese.

Obesity Subdivisions & Categories

Class 1: BMI of 30 to > 35.

Class 2: BMI of 35 to > 40.

Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher(sometimes categorized as “severe” obesity).

You can calculate your own BMI or look it up online.

Etiology of Obesity:

Physical inactivity.

Overeating.

Genetics.

A diet high in simple carbohydrates.

Frequency of eating.

Medications.

Psychological factors.

Furthermore…

Obesity develops over time when you eat more calories than you burn. The balance between “calories-in and calories-out” differs for each person.

Obesity increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, abnormal blood lipid profile (high-cholesterol, high-LDL, low- HDL, high-triglycerides), stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea and some cancers. If you have obesity, losing even 5 to 10% of your body weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.

In Addition…

Obesity diminishes almost every aspect of health, from reproductive and respiratory function to memory and mood. Obesity is associated with depression, low-self esteem and feeling out of control.

Is Obesity a Concern?

Obesity is a common and preventable disease of clinical and public health importance. Obese adults and obese children need to consider losing weight sooner rather than later. Research suggests that young overweight people who are able to achieve a healthy weight status may be able to reverse and prevent the damage caused by carrying excess pounds.

Can You Cure Obesity?

You can help yourself if you fall in a higher-than-normal weight category.

Keep in mind:

Your current weight is based on your caloric intake and level of activity. There are several ways to reduce weight:

1. Reduce caloric intake.

2. Increase physical fitness or activity.

3. Select high nutrient–dense food products and avoid high empty-calorie products.

4. Stay hydrated; it helps prevent cravings.

5. Eat at regular times to prevent hunger and fatigue.

6. Get adequate sleep to aid metabolism and prevent cravings.

7. Prescription appetite-reducing medications can help jump-start your diet.

See my “Weight Loss Warrior” column for a full discussion on medications and other weight- loss strategies.

Conclusion

Being overweight and/or obese is a serious health risk and is considered a disease. At Nutrition Transformations, we take obesity seriously and are experienced in treating this disease. We use personalized diet, exercise programs and medication recommendations that are designed for your individual needs … and we get results!

We empower you, coach you and are there for you during your journey to good health. It’s time to transform yourself … Don’t delay. Call us …we are here for you!

Yours in good health,

Jenn

718-644-1387

www.nu-transform.com

See our February blog @www.nu-transform.com