Obesity is a non-contagious disease that results from overeating and a lack of regular activity. It is a chronic metabolic disease resulting from excess fat stores in the body. Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease that accumulates excess fat in the body, which leads to adverse effects on health. Obesity remains a significant risk factor for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, etc. Therefore, many awareness campaigns and educational programs are being conducted to reduce and control the prevalence of obesity in the community.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a non-contagious disease that results from overeating and a lack of regular activity. It is a chronic metabolic disease resulting from excess fat stores in the body. Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease that accumulates excess fat in the body, which leads to adverse effects on health. Obesity remains a significant risk factor for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, etc. Therefore, many awareness campaigns and educational programs are being conducted to reduce and control the prevalence of obesity in the community.

When is a person obese?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine whether an individual is at a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered a healthy range and an indicator of ideal weight, while 25-29.9 indicates overweight, and 30 or higher indicates obesity. Keeping your BMI within the healthy range can help you maintain good health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. You can calculate your BMI using online calculators or by hand.

Obesity in children

Childhood obesity is a real problem in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the number of overweight children has been increasing, which may lead to many serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your child stay healthy and fit. May they be healthy!

It is important to be aware of the health risks associated with being overweight. It's also important to take steps to make sure your child stays at a healthy weight. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Ensure that your family eats healthy and balanced meals. Choose foods low in sugar and fat, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Encourage your child to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. This can include walking, running, riding a bike, or playing active outdoor games.
• Spend time together as a family without the distraction of the TV or computer.
• Limit the time your child spends watching TV or playing video games.

These tips can help ensure your child's health and prevent obesity and its associated health complications.

Causes of obesity

Obesity is a multifactorial disease, where a group of factors affects body weight and its ability to store excess weight, and the most prominent of these factors, especially among adolescents:

• Unhealthy eating habits include eating a lot of fast food and sugary drinks, eating large quantities at one meal, not taking food rations from different types of food, and relying on carbohydrates and fats.

It is essential not to exaggerate in avoiding certain foods or reaching the stage of deprivation and malnutrition for fear of obesity, as this will lead to eating disorders and the consequent health and psychological complications.

Remember that moderation and a healthy nutritional program are the best health solution.

• Lack of physical activity: lack of physical activity can be caused by spending too much time in front of screens, such as TVs and computers, or not participating in enough exercise.
• Genetic factors: Genes can also play a role in causing obesity in adolescents, where some people have a genetic predisposition to gain weight.

You need to take steps to prevent and manage obesity healthily. Eating healthy and getting enough exercise are essential components of maintaining a healthy weight. Also, set screen time and find ways to stay active throughout the day.

Most importantly, seek help from your doctor if you are having difficulty managing your weight or feeling overwhelmed or down. With the correct information and support, you can work towards achieving and maintaining a healthy weight!

Obesity treatment

First: Adopting a healthy lifestyle:

This step is the first and primary step towards a healthier lifestyle. To get rid of obesity, you need to change your lifestyle.

• Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for good health. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains in your meals. Avoid processed foods, saturated fats, added sugars, and salt. Reduce your portion sizes and don't skip meals (eat small portions at frequent intervals).
• Exercise and physical activity Try to do some physical activity every day - take a walk, go swimming, ride a bike, or try working out in the gym. Start small; just 10 minutes a day can make a difference.
• Make sure you get enough sleep and practice stress management techniques like deep breathing and meditation.

With these simple steps, you can be on the path to improved health and happiness!

Second: Medicines to lose weight:

Some medications and medicinal substances can help you lose weight and contribute to obesity treatment in addition to lifestyle changes. These medications suppress appetite, reduce the absorption of fats in your food, or improve insulin levels.

If you're interested in exploring weight-loss medications as an option to treat obesity, it's essential to talk to your doctor first. Your doctor can review your medical history and decide if any of these medications are appropriate for you.

Third: Bariatric surgeries:

Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery designed to help people who cannot lose weight in other ways and who have serious health complications due to being overweight achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The doctor will adjust the size of your stomach or change your digestive system to limit the amount of food your body absorbs.

The most popular bariatric surgeries are gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Each of these operations has conditions and requirements for the patient's candidacy and to ensure the appropriateness of this surgical intervention for his health condition, and undergoing such procedures carries many risks of complications and requires a commitment to changes in lifestyle and eating habits in the long term to reach the best results.

Talk to your doctor to find out more about the right option, and don't rush into surgery before taking all other treatment steps to lose weight.