Normal body mass index is between 18.5 and 24.9. A diagnosis of obesity is made when your body mass index is above 30. The method of diagnosis in children is different from that of adults and involves other parameters like weight for age. The most common cause of obesity in Fairfax, Virginia is eating an unhealthy diet and being physically inactive. However, some people have a genetic predisposition to obesity where this condition runs in their families.
When you visit a doctor with symptoms of obesity, the doctor will take a thorough medical history to find out the root cause of your problem. The weight loss specialist in Fairfax also does a physical examination of your body to check for complications of your condition. Management of obesity involves a variety of methods that are aimed at weight loss including lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes you may require surgery. Treatment for each person is individualized.
What Are the Risks That Occur Due to Obesity?
1. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when your breathing stops for short durations as you are sleeping. This condition presents with loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and chest pain. Obesity increases your risk of getting this condition because you will have excess fat in your throat that narrows your airways. When the passage of air is small, the air has to pass with greater force and this causes vibration and the symptoms of sleep apnea.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity increases your risk of getting type two diabetes by causing resistance to insulin. Diabetes presents with excess thirst and hunger, unintentional loss of weight, and an increase in the frequency of urination. Eating an unhealthy diet with a lot of processed foods is one of the major risk factors of obesity. You are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if you have a genetic predisposition to this condition with a first-degree relative having diabetes.
3. Cancer
Obesity increases your risk of getting some types of cancer. Obesity has been linked to a higher risk of developing cancer of the colon, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and esophagus. Obesity also contributes to some cancers of the reproductive system like cancer of the ovary, endometrium, and breast in women and cancer of the prostate in men. Obesity also increases the risk of infertility, menstrual disorders in women, and erectile dysfunction in men.
4. Heart Diseases
Obesity causes an increase in the amount of cholesterol in the blood. It also causes accumulation of fat inside the blood vessels, which narrows them. When your blood vessels are narrow, your heart has to pump blood with higher pressure, and this eventually causes hypertension. Chronic hypertension can cause heart failure. Obesity also increases the risk of developing blood clots, which can cause complications like stroke and heart attack.
In summary, obesity is a condition that occurs when your body mass index is over 30. Prevention and management of obesity are important to prevent complications like heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and sleep apnea. You can prevent obesity by eating a healthy diet and being physically active. Diabetes treatment is individualized and can involve lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
