Adiposity is the medical term for obesity and is used to describe unhealthy body weight. Obesity is a condition that often contributes to the development of secondary conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Obesity treatment is often multifaceted in its approach, including diet and lifestyle changes, and in some cases may require the use of medications and surgery.
Obesity occurs when an individual consumes more calories than they burn. Those who eat a high-calorie diet and encourage a sedentary or low-activity lifestyle burn few or no calories, which the body eventually stores as fat. Over time, the continued storage of these fat cells leads to adiposity.
People with adiposity have a body weight greater than what is considered healthy for their height. Body mass index (BMI) is a standardized tool often used to estimate whether you have a healthy body weight for your height. An individual's BMI can be calculated by dividing her weight (in kilograms) by her height (in meters squared). Those whose BMI is between 25 and 30 are considered overweight and a BMI greater than 30 is indicative of morbid obesity.
There are numerous behavioral and physiological factors that can contribute to the development of obesity. People who drink excessively, eat excessively, or are sedentary are at the highest risk of becoming obese. Regular use of certain medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, can contribute to adiposity. Research has shown that genetics can also contribute to obesity. Additional factors that can increase the risk of being obese include chronic mental illness and disability.
To establish whether an individual is obese, a variety of diagnostic tests can be performed. A complete medical history is usually taken and a physical exam is performed. The doctor may ask questions about eating habits, diet content, and activity level. Blood tests may be ordered to assess an individual's thyroid level and check for any abnormalities related to the production of other endocrine secretions that play a direct role in regulating metabolism. In addition to calculating an individual's BMI, their body fat percentage can be determined through measurements taken from their skin folds.
Diet and lifestyle changes are almost always part of any treatment approach to adiposity. People usually need to learn new eating habits and adopt a healthy and balanced diet. Most who seek medical attention can work closely with a licensed dietitian or nutritionist to formulate a diet plan that promotes balanced nutrition and weight loss. Adopting healthy eating habits like eating only at the table and avoiding snacking with the help of healthier habits like yoga or walking are considered an essential part of any diet plan.
People are generally encouraged to adopt a regular and balanced exercise routine and stick to it. Exercise routines often depend on activity level and physical ability. Some may start with a low-impact workout and gradually increase the intensity, content, and frequency of exercise over time. For people with adiposity, the goal is to avoid being sedentary.
Treatment may also include the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications to help with weight loss. People should discuss their options with a qualified health care provider before starting any diet medication. Weight-loss surgery may be performed on people with morbid adiposity, who are often considered to be 100 or more pounds overweight with a BMI of 30 or more. Generally reserved for situations where other treatment approaches have failed, weight loss surgery can be performed in two ways.
Gastric bypass surgery involves reducing the size of an individual's stomach and restructuring the way the stomach and small intestine process food with the help of the bypass. Essentially, the lower part of the stomach is bypassed through the repositioning of the jejunum from the small intestine. A second procedure, known as laparoscopic gastric banding, involves placing a band around the upper portion of the stomach to limit its capacity. Once the band is in place, an individual can feel full by eating less. Surgical weight-loss procedures are also accompanied by postoperative dietary and lifestyle changes that are used to promote and maintain a healthy body weight.
Complications associated with obesity are generally induced by the additional stress that excess weight puts on the body's systems. Serious medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart disease are common among people with adiposity. A person's risk of stroke, certain types of cancer, and high blood pressure are also increased if they are obese. Untreated morbid obesity can also lead to heart failure and contribute to premature death.