Obesity: causes, treatment and prevention. Prevention of obesity in children and adolescents

Obesity is the biggest problem of our time. Overweight is observed in people of any age, while it has a negative impact on the functioning of the body, in particular - on the work of the cardiovascular system. Prevention of obesity is necessary at any age, otherwise you can spoil your metabolism from childhood and suffer from excess weight and a variety of concomitant diseases all your life.

The causes of obesity

There are two main causes that contribute to the development of obesity:

• Malnutrition in combination with a low-activity lifestyle;
• The presence of endocrine diseases (ailments of the liver, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries).

The hereditary factor also has a great influence. In adolescence, children often let their lives run their course: they lead a sedentary lifestyle, use excessive amounts of harmful food.

The abundance of fast food, various carbonated drinks, sweets, spending free time at the computer contribute to the irregular regime of the day and the way of life of children. This pastime slows metabolism, promotes the development of pathologies in all body systems and provokes the appearance of excess weight in the child.

Endocrine diseases affect the correct ratio of height and weight, but are much less likely to cause excess weight. Prevention of obesity in children and adults will prevent the deterioration of health and appearance.

What factors contribute to the appearance of excess weight

In the absence of a genetic predisposition and endocrine pathologies, obesity is caused by the following factors:

• Lack of necessary physical activity;
• Frequent stresses and intense experiences;
• Malnutrition - eating disorders that lead to the development of bulimia, anorexia and other diseases;
• The use of a large number of easily assimilated carbohydrates, foods with a high sugar content;
• Violation of sleep, in particular - lack of sleep;
• The use of drugs that affect the functioning of the central nervous system, stimulating or inhibiting it.

In very rare cases, obesity can be a consequence of surgical intervention (for example, removal of the ovaries) or injuries (with damage to the pituitary gland). The defeat of tumors of the pituitary gland or the cortex of the adrenal glands also provokes the appearance of excess weight. Preventing obesity from an early age will avoid health problems that appear with excess weight.

How to calculate body mass index

Obesity is classified by BMI. You can calculate this figure yourself. It is enough to know your weight and height.

It is necessary to divide the body mass into height, squared. For example, a woman weighs 55 kg with a height of 160 cm. The calculation will look like this:

55 kg: (1.6 x 1.6) = 21.48 - in this case, the weight is ideally consistent with the growth of the patient.

A BMI greater than 25 indicates excess weight, but does not pose a health hazard. Prevention of obesity should begin as early as possible, and not when the BMI is already over 25. When a person is just beginning to increase body weight, stopping this process is much easier than at any stage of obesity.

Decoding BMI

After calculating your index of body mass index, you need to determine whether it is a variant of the norm or not:

• If a number less than 16 was obtained during the count, this indicates a severe deficit in body weight;
• 16-18 - underweight, most often all girls tend to this indicator;
• 18-25 - ideal weight for a healthy adult;
• 25-30 - the presence of excess weight, which is not harmful to health, but outwardly significantly spoils the shape of the figure;
• More than 30 - the presence of obesity of different degrees, requiring medical intervention.

If you have excess weight, it is better to change your lifestyle immediately and restore optimal parameters. Otherwise, the weight will gradually increase, and then it will be very difficult to return it to acceptable standards. Prevention of obesity in children should begin at an early age. That is, you need to carefully monitor the nutrition and activity of their children.

Types of obesity

Depending on the location of the greater percentage of excess weight, the following types of obesity are distinguished:

• Upper (abdominal) - the fatty layer is mainly built up in the upper part of the trunk and on the abdomen. This type is most often diagnosed in men. Abdominal obesity has a negative impact on the overall health, provoking the emergence of diabetes, stroke, heart attack or hypertension.
• Lower (femoral-glandular) - fat deposits are localized in the region of the thighs and buttocks. It is diagnosed mainly in the female. It provokes the appearance of venous insufficiency, diseases of the joints and spine.
• Intermediate (mixed) - fat is increased evenly throughout the body.

Types of obesity can be correlated with the types of figures. Thus, the figure "apple" will be characterized by the appearance of excess weight in the upper part of the body and on the stomach, and in the pear-shaped figure, the fat deposits will be localized mainly in the hips, buttocks and lower abdomen.

Prevention of obesity in elderly patients is necessary, as at this age there are disruptions in the work of the endocrine system and the metabolism decreases.

Classification of obesity

Primary obesity develops with eating disorders and a sedentary lifestyle. When the body accumulates an excessive amount of energy, which has nowhere to spend, it accumulates in the form of fat deposits.

Secondary obesity is a consequence of various diseases, injuries, tumors that affect the work of the body's regulatory system.

Endocrine is an increase in the weight of the patient due to abnormalities in the functioning of the organs of the endocrine system, in particular - the thyroid gland, adrenal glands or ovaries. Recommendations for the prevention of obesity in this case can only be given by a qualified physician who has studied the patient's history and conducted all necessary examinations.

Diagnosis of obesity

As diagnostic measures are used:

• body mass index;
• Electrical measurements of fat and non-fat tissue in the body;
• Measurement of body volume;
• Measurement of the total amount of subcutaneous fat;
• A blood test - used to diagnose diseases that cause the appearance of excess weight.

Based on the results, the doctor can make a conclusion about the presence or absence of the disease. Prevention of obesity in children and adolescents helps to maintain the normal functioning of the body in mature and old age.

Treatment of obesity

In some cases, weight loss is not observed even with a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity. In this case, doctors can prescribe suitable pharmacological drugs that contribute to weight loss. Prevention of obesity and diabetes is necessary if the patient has cardiovascular disease.

If a patient develops diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal system during obesity, it is necessary to take medications that primarily solve these problems. The intake of such drugs should be combined with a change in the habitual way of life, and, if necessary, with the use of medications that stimulate weight loss.

It is forbidden to choose and take medications for weight loss without consulting a doctor. The advertised funds do not give the proper effect, and effective medicines should be prescribed only after a full examination by a qualified doctor. Due to the large number of contraindications and side effects, the taking of such drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a physician in a strictly prescribed dosage.

Effects of untreated obesity

If you do not diagnose the cause that caused the excess weight in time and start treatment for obesity, serious complications may appear. Prevention of obesity in old age is necessary to prevent the emergence of concomitant diseases and conditions, such as:

• Ailments of joints and bones;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Liver and gallbladder disease;
• Sleep disorders;
• depression;
• Increased cholesterol levels in the blood;
• asthma;
• Eating disorders;
• diabetes;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• Early death.

The increase in body weight negatively affects the general condition of the patient and his health. The more fatty deposits, the more difficult it is for the body to cope with its functions. Violated the processes of breathing, digestion, blood circulation, reduced brain activity, there are diseases of the genital area and frustration of the reproductive function.

Diet for obesity

With obesity, the doctor directs the patient to a dietician who takes into account the preferences of the child or adult and makes up a new diet. Prevention of adiposity in adolescents should include a psychological factor in conjunction with basic medical recommendations. The most important and effective recommendations are:

• The restriction of the consumption of fatty, fried and high-calorie food, semi-finished products, soda, high-sugar foods;
• The use of low-fat dairy products;
• The basis of the daily diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Meat and fish are preferred non-fat varieties, steamed, baked or boiled;
• Limiting the use of foods high in sodium;
• Reduce the amount of refined carbohydrates (bread, rice, sugar);
• Eat at the same time;
• Be sure to have breakfast;
• Replace any drinks with clean water and drink 2-3 liters a day.

It is necessary to purchase predominantly healthy foods and prepare meals at home. With the development of severe obesity, these recommendations will not give good effect, strict monitoring of the dietician and adherence to a rigid diet will be required.

Physical activity for obesity

Improve the result of dietary nutrition will allow moderate exercise. It is necessary to choose the optimal kind of sport, in which the body will not be exhausted. Otherwise it will be quite difficult to motivate yourself to classes. Sports should bring pleasure and give a charge of energy and positive emotions.

Prevention of obesity in children should include reducing the time spent at a computer or TV, up to 1-2 hours a day. In the rest of the time you need to be active, visit sports clubs or practice at home, even empty it will be cleaning the house, jogging, swimming or fitness. Everyone chooses classes to their liking.

Obesity: treatment and prevention

Treatment of obesity should begin at an early stage. In this case, adherence to a diet, an active lifestyle and a healthy sleep can normalize the weight and return the body the desired shape. In rare cases, you may need drugs to reduce weight or surgery, during which a reduction in the volume of the stomach.

To prevent the development of obesity, it is necessary to adhere to several basic points:

• Give preference to healthy food and do not eat more than it is necessary for the full functioning of the body;
• To lead an active lifestyle - if the work is sedentary, then in your free time it is worth doing sports, walking more outdoors;
• It is important to get enough sleep and avoid stressful situations that can provoke disturbances in the metabolism or the work of the endocrine glands.

Compliance with all rules will prevent obesity. The causes, prevention and treatment of frosty obesity should be interrelated and aimed at changing the way of life and returning the previous body volumes.