1. A Wake-Up Call to Make Changes to Prevent Diabetes
 
OBESITY-An Emerging Risk Factor for Diabetes and Causes of Obesity
   
Obesity, in simple terms, is having a high proportion of body fat. Fat is important for storing energy and insulating your body, among other functions. The human body can handle carrying some extra fat, but beyond a certain point, body fat can begin to interfere with your health. For this reason, obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. Obesity puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, osteoarthritis and many other serious health problems.
 

Causes
The following factors — usually working in combination — can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
 
Diet. High calorie foods, with calorie values higher than the daily needs can contribute to obesity. Foods rich in fat and sugar like fast foods or desserts are high in calories, which promote weight gain.
Inactivity. Imbalance of calories consumed versus calories burned through physical activity results in weight gain. Couch potatoes are more likely to gain weight. If you consume more calories than you burn through exercise and daily activities, you gain weight. Your body stores calories that you don't need for energy as fat.
Pregnancy. Usually during pregnancy women’s weight increases. Most of the women find this weight difficult to lose after delivery. This weight gain may contribute to the development of obesity.
Certain medications. Some medicines like corticosteroids and antidepressants can lead to weight gain.
Medical problems. Some medical conditions such as low thyroid function or excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome) can contribute to obesity.
 
 

Are you obese?

You can find out whether you are obese or not by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index) - BMI=Wt in kg / Ht in m2
 
BMI table.

Category

BMI range - Kg/m2

Starvation

less than 14.9

Underweight

from 15 to 18.4

Normal

from 18.5 to 22.9

Overweight

from 23 to 27.5

Obese

from 27.6 to 40

Morbidly Obese

greater than 40
 
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This newsletter is published for free distribution through the Internet for doctors, patients and public for promoting healthy lifestyles. For enquiries, please contact Sunitha Jothydev, CAO, Jothydev’s Diabetes Centre, Trivandrum - cao@jothydev.net. Please visit: http://www.jothydev.net