Facts about Obesity

Some background into the increase in obesity in the U.K.

Since 1980, when only 6% of men and 8% of women were obese, our lifestyles have changed rapidly. Walks to work and school are being replaced with car journeys, and balanced diets are being increasingly threatened by the ready availability of convenience foods.

How common is obesity now?

According to government statistics, around one in four men and one in three women in the UK are overweight. If this trend continues the Department of Health predicts that by 2010 around 6.6 million men will be obese compared to 6 million women.

Over 30,000 deaths a year in England are caused by obesity.

What causes obesity?

Obesity develops from:

• Overeating
• Irregular meals
• Lack of daily physical activity

Medicines such as antidepressants, corticosteroids and oral contraceptives can also cause weight gain.

Do genetic factors cause obesity?

Obesity can be even hereditary, so some people are at increased risk.

Genetic factors can affect:

• Appetite
• The rate at which you burn energy (metabolic rate)
• How the body stores fat

If your genes make weight gain more likely, it does not necessarily mean it is inevitable that you will be overweight. The way in which the genes develop is determined by lifestyle.

What problems can obesity cause?

Common physical problems caused by obesity include:

• Increased sweating
• Pain in the knees and back
• Difficulties breathing
• Difficulties walking or running
• Skin conditions such as acne
• Gallstones

In some cases obesity can cause social anxiety and depression. This is because, psychologically, being overweight can affect your body image and damage your self-esteem.

Medical conditions common in obese people include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diseases related to hardening of the arteries, such as heart attack and stroke (cardiovascular disease)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Some types of cancer (endometrial, colon and breast)

Obesity-related diseases are some of the most common causes of death before the age of 75.

When is obesity dangerous?

Obesity is normally measured by body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is a calculation of your weight relative to your height, a person who has a BMI of 30 to 40 is considered obese and over 40 as morbidly obese.

Obesity is also dangerous if you carry too much fat around the middle because this increases risks to your health.

How is obesity treated?

Initially, your doctor will suggest you lose weight through a change in diet and an increase in physical exercise (by eating less and burning excess fat, you lose weight.) A dietician can help you lose weight by designing a weight loss plan after giving crucial nutritional advice on the purchasing and preparation of foods.

When is medical treatment necessary?

If changes to diet and exercise are not effective, your doctor may consider medicines for weight loss. While these medicines can help you to lose weight, after you stop treatment there may be a gradual reversal of any weight loss. To help avoid this, you will need to continue to diet and exercise regularly.

Because we have no knowledge of possible negative effects on puberty and later eating behaviour, medicines for obesity are not yet recommended for young people under the age of 18.

In the long term

There is no quick-fix for obesity. That is, it is not something that can be brought under clinical control within a few weeks or months. Yes, weight loss plans from a GP or dietician are an effective way to lose weight, but by making a commitment to permanently change your eating and exercise habits you are giving yourself an excellent chance of achieving a way of life that maintains weight and, crucially, reduces the chances of putting it back on.

 

More Information on Obesity Surgery

» Obesity surgery FAQ
» Obesity facts
» What is my BMI?
» Are you a candidate for obesity surgery?
» What are the different types of obesity surgery?
» Gastric banding
» Gastric balloon
» What are the risks of obesity surgery?
» How your life will change after weight loss surgery?

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about obesity surgery, or arrange a consultation, contact us today on 08707 606 555, or by completing our online enquiry form for an immediate response.