– excess fat deposits in subcutaneous tissue, organs and tissues. It manifests itself as an increase in body weight by 20 percent or more of the average due to adipose tissue. It causes psycho-physical discomfort, causes sexual disorders, diseases of the spine and joints. Increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, kidney damage, liver damage, as well as disability and mortality from these diseases. The most effective treatment for obesity is the combined use of 3 components: diet, physical activity and appropriate psychological adjustment of the patient.

General information

According to WHO international experts, obesity is a global epidemic of our time, affecting millions of people on the planet, regardless of professional, social, national, geographical, gender and age groups. In Russia, up to 30% of the working population are obese and another 25% are overweight. Women are susceptible to developing obesity twice as often as men; the critical age for the appearance of excess weight is from 30 to 60 years.

Obese patients are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from hypertension, 3-4 times more likely to suffer from angina pectoris and coronary heart disease than people with normal weight. Almost any disease, even such as ARVI, influenza and pneumonia, in obese patients takes longer and is more severe, and has a higher percentage of complications.

Causes of obesity

The development of obesity is most often caused by an imbalance between energy intake from food and energy expenditure of the body. Excess calories that enter the body and are not consumed by it are converted into fat, which accumulates in the body’s fat depots (mainly in the subcutaneous tissue, omentums, abdominal wall, internal organs, etc.). An increase in fat reserves leads to an increase in body weight and disruption of the functioning of many body systems. Overeating leads to obesity in more than 90%; another 5% of obesity cases are caused by metabolic disorders.

A number of factors contribute to the development of obesity:

• inactive lifestyle;
• genetically determined disorders of enzymatic activity (increased activity of lipogenesis enzymes and decreased activity of enzymes that break down fats (lipolysis);
• errors in the nature and diet (excessive consumption of carbohydrates, fats, salt, sweet and alcoholic drinks, eating at night, etc.);
• some endocrine pathologies (hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, insulinoma, Itsenko-Cushing's disease);
• physiological conditions (lactation, pregnancy, menopause);
• stress, lack of sleep, taking psychotropic and hormonal drugs(steroids, insulin, birth control pills) etc.

Pathogenesis

Changes in eating behavior occur as a result of disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary regulation, which is responsible for controlling behavioral reactions. Increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system leads to an increase in ACTH production, the rate of cortisol secretion and an acceleration of its metabolism. There is a decrease in the secretion of somatotropic hormone, which has a lipolytic effect, hyperinsulinemia develops, a violation of the metabolism of thyroid hormones and tissue sensitivity to them.

Classification

In 1997, the World Health Organization proposed a classification of degrees of obesity based on the definition of an indicator - body mass index (BMI) for persons from 18 to 65 years. BMI is calculated using the formula: weight in kg / height in meters squared. Based on BMI, the following types of body weight and the risk of developing associated complications are distinguished:

• BMI<18,5 (низкий) – указывает на дефицит массы тела и повышенный риск развития других патологий;
• BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 (usual) – corresponds to normal body weight. With this BMI, the lowest morbidity and mortality rates are observed;
• BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 (increased) - indicates overweight or pre-obesity.
• BMI from 30.0 to 34.9 (high) – corresponds to stage I obesity;
• BMI from 35.0 to 39.9 (very high) – corresponds to stage II obesity;
• A BMI of 40 or more (excessively high) indicates obesity of III and IV degrees.

A BMI of 30 or more indicates the presence of obesity and a direct threat to health, requiring a medical examination and the development of an individual treatment regimen. By comparing actual and ideal body weight, obesity is divided into 4 degrees:

• in grade I, excess weight is no more than 29%
• II degree is characterized by excess weight by 30-40%
• III – by 50-99%
• at grade IV, there is an increase in actual body weight compared to the ideal by 2 or more times. Ideal body weight is calculated using the formula: “height, cm - 100.”

Based on the predominant localization of fat deposits on the body, the following types of obesity are distinguished:

1. Abdominal(upper or android) – excessive deposition of adipose tissue in the upper half of the torso and abdomen (the figure resembles an apple in shape). It develops more often in men and is most dangerous to health, as it is associated with the risk of arterial hypertension, diabetes, stroke and heart attack.
2. Femorogluteal(lower) – predominant deposition of adipose tissue in the hips and buttocks (the figure resembles a pear in shape). It is more common in women and is accompanied by dysfunction of the joints, spine, and venous insufficiency.
3. Intermediate (mixed) - uniform distribution of fat deposits throughout the body.

Obesity can be progressive in nature with an increase in the volume of fat deposits and a gradual increase in body weight, or be in a stable or residual stage (residual after weight loss). According to the mechanism and causes of development, obesity can be primary (nutritional-metabolic or exogenous-constitutional, or simple), secondary (hypothalamic or symptomatic) and endocrine.

1. The development of primary obesity is based on an exogenous, or nutritional, factor associated with the increased energy value of the diet with low energy consumption, which leads to the accumulation of fat deposits. This type of obesity develops as a result of the predominance of carbohydrates and animal fats in food or a violation of the diet (rich and rare meals, consumption of the main daily calorie intake in the evening) and often has a family predisposition. Calories contained in fats contribute more to weight gain than those contained in proteins and carbohydrates. If fats supplied with food exceed the capabilities of their oxidation in the body, then excess fat accumulates in fat depots. Physical inactivity significantly reduces the ability of muscles to oxidize fat.
2. Secondary obesity accompanies such hereditary syndromes as Babinski-Froelich disease, Gelineau syndrome, Lawrence-Myn-Bardet-Biedl syndrome, etc. Also, symptomatic obesity can develop against the background of various cerebral lesions: brain tumors, dissemination of systemic lesions, infectious diseases, mental disorders, traumatic brain injuries.
3. The endocrine type of obesity develops with pathology of the endocrine glands: hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism, hyperinsulinism, hypogonadism. With all types of obesity, hypothalamic disorders are observed to one degree or another, which are either primary or occur during the course of the disease.

Obesity symptoms

A specific symptom of obesity is excess body weight. Excess fat deposits are found on the shoulders, abdomen, back, sides of the body, back of the head, hips, and pelvic area, while underdevelopment of the muscular system is noted. The patient’s appearance changes: a double chin appears, pseudogynecomastia develops, fat folds on the abdomen hang down in the form of an apron, and the hips take the shape of riding breeches. Umbilical and inguinal hernias are typical.

Patients with degrees I and II obesity may not present any special complaints; with more severe obesity, drowsiness, weakness, sweating, irritability, nervousness, shortness of breath, nausea, constipation, peripheral edema, pain in the spine and joints are noted.

Patients with grade III-IV obesity develop disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Objectively, hypertension, tachycardia, and muffled heart sounds are detected. A high position of the dome of the diaphragm leads to the development of respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Fatty infiltration of the liver parenchyma, chronic cholecystitis and pancreatitis occurs. Pain in the spine and symptoms of arthrosis of the ankle and knee joints appear.

Obesity is often accompanied by menstrual irregularities, including the development of amenorrhea. Increased sweating causes the development of skin diseases (eczema, pyoderma, furunculosis), the appearance of acne, stretch marks on the abdomen, hips, shoulders, hyperpigmentation of the elbows, neck, and places of increased friction.

Nutritional obesity

Obesity of different types has similar general symptoms; differences are observed in the pattern of fat distribution and the presence or absence of signs of damage to the endocrine or nervous systems. With nutritional obesity, body weight increases gradually, fat deposits are uniform, sometimes predominant in the thighs and abdomen. There are no symptoms of damage to the endocrine glands.

Hypothalamic obesity

With hypothalamic obesity, obesity develops quickly, with a predominant deposition of fat on the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. There is an increase in appetite, especially in the evening, thirst, night hunger, dizziness, and tremor. Trophic skin disorders are characteristic: pink or white stretch marks (stretch stripes), dry skin. Women may develop hirsutism, infertility, menstrual irregularities, and men may experience deterioration in potency. Neurological dysfunction occurs: headaches, sleep disturbance; autonomic disorders: sweating, arterial hypertension.

Endocrine obesity

The endocrine form of obesity is characterized by a predominance of symptoms of underlying diseases caused by hormonal imbalances. The distribution of fat is usually uneven, with signs of feminization or masculinization, hirsutism, gynecomastia, and cutaneous stretch marks. A unique form of obesity is lipomatosis – benign hyperplasia of adipose tissue. Manifested by numerous symmetrical painless lipomas, it is more often observed in men. There are also painful lipomas (Dercum lipomatosis), which are located on the limbs and torso, are painful on palpation and are accompanied by general weakness and local itching.

Complications

In addition to psychological problems, almost all obese patients suffer from one or a number of syndromes or diseases caused by excess weight.

• cardiovascular system: coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure, stroke
• metabolic processes: type 2 diabetes mellitus
• digestive system: cholelithiasis, liver cirrhosis, chronic heartburn
• musculoskeletal system: arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis
• reproductive organs: polycystic ovary syndrome, decreased fertility, libido, menstrual dysfunction, etc.

Obesity increases the likelihood of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, and colon cancer. There is also an increased risk of sudden death due to existing complications. The mortality rate for men aged 15 to 69 years with an actual body weight that is 20% greater than ideal body weight is one third higher than for men of normal weight.

Diagnostics

When examining patients with obesity, attention is paid to the medical history, family predisposition, the minimum and maximum weight after 20 years, the duration of the development of obesity, the activities carried out, the patient’s eating habits and lifestyle, and existing diseases are determined. To determine the presence and degree of obesity, the method of determining body mass index (BMI) and ideal body weight (IB) is used.

The nature of the distribution of adipose tissue on the body is determined by calculating a coefficient equal to the ratio of the waist circumference (WC) to the hip circumference (HC). The presence of abdominal obesity is indicated by a coefficient exceeding 0.8 for women and 1 for men. It is believed that the risk of developing concomitant diseases is high in men with WC > 102 cm and in women with WC > 88 cm. To assess the degree of subcutaneous fat deposition, the size of the skin fold is determined.

The most accurate results of determining the location, volume and percentage of adipose tissue from the total body weight are obtained using auxiliary methods: ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, computed tomography, x-ray densitometry, etc. If patients are obese, they need to consult a psychologist, nutritionist and physical therapy instructor.

To identify changes caused by obesity, determine:

• indicators blood pressure(to detect arterial hypertension);
• hypoglycemic profile and glucose tolerance test (to detect type II diabetes mellitus);
• level of triglycerides, cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins (to assess lipid metabolism disorders);
• changes in ECG and echocardiography (to identify disturbances in the circulatory system and heart);
• uric acid level in biochemical analysis blood (to detect hyperuremia).

Obesity treatment

Each obese person may have their own motivation for losing weight: a cosmetic effect, reducing health risks, improving performance, the desire to wear smaller clothes, the desire to look good. However, goals for weight loss and its pace should be realistic and aimed, first of all, at reducing the risk of complications associated with obesity. Treatment for obesity begins with diet and exercise.

Diet therapy

For patients with BMI< 35 назначается гипокалорийное питание с уменьшением калорийности пищи на 300-500 ккал и усиление физической активности. Ограничение калорийности идет за счет уменьшения суточного потребления жиров (особенно, животных), углеводов (в первую очередь, рафинированных), при достаточном количестве белка и клетчатки. Предпочтительные виды термической обработки пищи – отваривание и запекание, кратность питания – 5-6 раз в сутки небольшими порциями, из рациона исключаются приправы, алкоголь.

When following a hypocaloric diet, basal metabolism decreases and energy is conserved, which reduces the effectiveness of diet therapy. Therefore, a hypocaloric diet must be combined with physical exercise, increasing the processes of basal metabolism and fat metabolism. Purpose therapeutic fasting indicated for patients undergoing hospital treatment with severe obesity for a short period of time.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of obesity is prescribed when a BMI is >30 or the diet is ineffective for 12 weeks or more. The action of drugs from the amphetamine group (dexafenfluramine, amfepramone, phentermine) is based on inhibition of hunger, acceleration of satiety, and anorectic effect. However, it is possible side effects: nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, irritability, allergic reactions, addiction.

In some cases, it is effective to prescribe the fat-mobilizing drug adiposine, as well as the antidepressant fluoxetine, which changes eating behavior. The most preferred drugs today in the treatment of obesity are sibutramine and orlistat, which do not cause pronounced adverse reactions and addiction. The action of sibutramine is based on accelerating the onset of satiety and reducing the amount of food consumed. Orlistat reduces the absorption of fats in the intestine. For obesity, symptomatic treatment of underlying and concomitant diseases is carried out. In the treatment of obesity, the role of psychotherapy (conversation, hypnosis) is high, changing the stereotypes of developed eating behavior and lifestyle.

Surgical treatment of obesity

Prognosis and prevention

Timely, systematic interventions for the treatment of obesity bring good results. Already with a decrease in body weight by 10%, the overall mortality rate decreases by >20%; mortality caused by diabetes > than 30%; caused by concomitant obesity oncological diseases, > by 40%. Patients with I and II degrees of obesity remain able to work; with degree III - they receive disability group III, and in the presence of cardiovascular complications - disability group II.

To prevent obesity, a person with normal weight only needs to spend as many calories and energy as he receives during the day. With a hereditary predisposition to obesity, after the age of 40, with physical inactivity, it is necessary to limit the consumption of carbohydrates, fats, and increase protein and plant foods in the diet. Reasonable physical activity: walking, swimming, running, visiting gyms. If you are dissatisfied with your own weight, in order to reduce it you need to contact an endocrinologist and nutritionist to assess the degree of violations and draw up an individual weight loss program.

In the modern world, the number of obese people is rapidly growing. This is becoming a global problem. More than half the population of developed countries are overweight, which not only spoils the figure, but also provokes various dangerous ailments.

The distribution of fat on the body depends on hereditary predisposition or disorders of the body. Excess weight can be a consequence of an existing disease.

Definition and reasons

In any case, obesity is a disease associated with excessive amounts of fat deposits, causing complications internal organs. Any organism spends a certain amount of energy on all processes of its life.

If more of it is supplied with food than required, then the excess is deposited in any part of the body, disrupting natural metabolism. This is one of the first reasons why 90-95% of people who avoid physical activity are overweight.

Overweight patients with problems with endocrine and other metabolic diseases account for 5-10%.

Classifications and types

There are several types of classifications of obesity types. Consideration of each of them will provide a more complete picture of the problem, its consequences and solution.

Due to the development of fat deposits

To date, there is no general agreement among experts on this classification of the disease.

Nutritional– uncontrolled overeating, with accumulation of fat in upper parts bodies.

Compulsive When a person calms himself down with food, his stomach grows.

Gluten– accumulation of deposits in the hips and buttocks due to hormonal disorders (pregnancy, childbirth, menopause), bad habits.

Visceral– this is the type where fat fills abdominal cavity, entangles the liver, making breathing difficult.

At genetic predisposition lesions of the veins, swelling of the legs, often in pregnant women;

In former athletes who stopped active physical activity, muscle over time it is replaced by fat, this type is called inaction.

Endocrine classification

This includes types of obesity when the functioning of the glands of the system, which secrete their hormones directly into the blood, is disrupted.

Hepatic. Its manifestation is facilitated by the abuse of sweets, which can give rise to diabetes or liver failure.

Adrenal. Usually occurs in patients with a tumor or enlarged adrenal glands. Weight gains even with limited nutrition due to the rapid absorption of food by the body. The body becomes dense and muscular.

Thyroid. This type of obesity is characterized by swollen, cold legs, heart pain, weakness, dry skin, the level of thyroid hormones is reduced, the liver and adrenal glands work poorly, and shortness of breath appears.

Gonatropic. It is this type that causes “breeches” on the legs.

By gender

The most popular classification is characterized by the location of fat deposition.

With gynoid, female type, female sex hormones predominate, subcutaneous fat deposits are observed in the upper legs with the formation of cellulite. The figure looks like a pear.

A woman is prone to bad mood, apathy, often sleep disturbances. Problems arise with the spine and joints of the legs, varicose veins and hemorrhoids appear.

Android, the male type, occurs in women in menopause, and in those who often experience stress, fat is deposited on the shoulders, abdomen, mammary glands and most of all on the internal organs.

They are fun-loving people who love life and food. Their figure is similar to an apple. Such obesity is fraught with high blood pressure, shortness of breath, diabetes, infertility, and the liver and kidneys suffer.

In persons with mixed type excess weight is almost unnoticeable, since fat deposits are the same throughout the body. This is dangerous because the disease goes unnoticed for a long time, and the functioning of the body’s systems is already disrupted. Such ladies often change their mood, they always want to sleep, they eat away all their frustrations, and they don’t want to move again.

According to the nature of the disease

There are also several types here:

1. body weight is constant;
2. weight increases all the time;
3. even after losing weight, fat accumulations remain and health is undermined.

Fat can accumulate on:

1. the heart, with atherosclerosis, is called plaque type;
2. liver, when bile formation is impaired, sudden tissue poisoning may occur;
3. kidneys, when urine stagnates, stones form, various inflammations and infections develop;
4. pancreas, then the entire gastrointestinal tract malfunctions.

By degree

The most famous classification. It can be determined using the body mass index formula: weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2).

Less than 18 – underweight.

18.5-25 – normal weight.

I degree– from 25 to 30, the onset of the disease, the waist disappears. I suffer from shortness of breath even when walking, my blood pressure fluctuates, and I sweat profusely. Atherosclerosis may develop and sugar levels may rise. After normality is restored, if you continue life as before, the kilograms will return.

II degree– 30-35, obesity, and at 35-40 it is already pronounced. It is difficult to bend over, walking is difficult, the lungs are unable to cope with their work, and at times food intoxication occurs. Side effects are developing dangerous diseases, some of them are fatal.

III degree– with an index above 40, obesity is very noticeable. It is difficult to treat. Sore joints, diabetes, Very high pressure, heart failure, breathing problems and a bunch of other ailments. Along with this, depression and irritation.

Obesity and health

Many people develop diabetes mellitus at stage 3. Obesity can occur in people who already have type 1 diabetes. Patients inject themselves with a lot of insulin, which lowers sugar levels, promoting the absorption of more carbohydrates, which are stored in reserve.

In sedentary people, unspent glucose helps to form fat, insulin is constantly required, depleting the pancreas, and diabetes appears.

People who consume fatty foods in large quantities and often with alcoholic beverages can develop fatty liver disease. Fat metabolism is disrupted, liver tissue is replaced by fat. Nausea after eating frequent pain on the right under the ribs, weakened condition, the skin turns yellow.

Obesity of the heart leads to its enlargement due to excess adipose tissue. Blood circulation is disrupted, blood pressure increases, and there is a risk of cardiac arrest. Feeling of shortness of breath even without exertion, frequent headaches.

With atherosclerosis, fat deposited in the blood vessels makes them less passable. Stroke, ischemia, and heart attack can develop in people even with the 1st degree of obesity. Varicose veins, phlebitis, and blood clot rupture are also possible.

Excess weight constantly injures the joints, hence the diseased spine with osteochondrosis, hernias and leg joints.

Due to metabolic disorders, protective functions are impaired. Obese people are more likely to catch it viral diseases, often occurring with complications, many of them are allergic. These people are more susceptible to cancer than people of normal weight.

Estrogens secreted by adipose tissue reduce the possibility of conception, especially in women with 3 and 4 degrees of obesity. The subsequent pregnancy often occurs with complications.

For any type of obesity, it is very important to understand the degree of risk this situation poses to your health. The whole body suffers from the daily load in the form of extra pounds, and the functioning of internal systems is disrupted.

The first thing to do is to determine the type, the second is to find the reasons overweight and third, start treatment to get rid of excess fat.

First thing, overweight Surely everyone who possesses it causes dissatisfaction. Excess weight can even cause depression and low self-esteem. And here not only human prejudices play a role, but also a truly real inconvenience: difficulties in choosing beautiful and comfortable clothes, dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, and health problems that arise from this condition.

Maybe for some, being overweight is a symbol of health, based on the opposite concept that thinness is an illness that definitely needs to be corrected with increased nutrition. I'll try to disabuse you of this then. I have absolutely no prejudices in this matter, and I will not claim that overweight- this is not beautiful and not aesthetically pleasing (I am against driving a person into a narrow framework of 90x60x90). But when the scales begin to go off scale, and the weight-to-height ratio is significantly disrupted, this is already fraught negative consequences in terms of health.

Consequences of obesity - cardiovascular diseases

If your weight begins to exceed the norm by more than 10%, the likelihood of stroke, coronary insufficiency and other heart diseases begins to increase. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels increase, and glucose accumulates as cells become unable to break it down. Even at rest, if you are overweight, the load on the heart is increased.

Consequences of obesity - respiratory diseases

Excess weight, and even more so obesity, complicates the functioning of the respiratory system. There is a high probability of acquiring apnea syndrome (stopping breathing during sleep). Snoring, fatigue, and pain in the heart area develop.

Consequences of obesity - diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is ten times more common in overweight people. Compared to people of normal weight.

There is a clear connection between excess weight and type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent). The risk of this disease increases forty times with excess weight.

Consequences of obesity - hypertension

High blood pressure is three times more common in overweight people. And hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease.

Consequences of obesity - hormonal disorders

With excess weight, various hormonal imbalances occur. A prediabetic state occurs when the body requires more and more insulin to regulate glucose levels. Growth hormone levels decrease. Dyshormonal disorders develop, threatening menstrual irregularities or impotence. In men, testosterone levels often decrease, while in women, on the contrary, testosterone levels increase and progesterone levels decrease.

Consequences of obesity - gallbladder disease

Being overweight significantly increases the risk of developing gallbladder stones. The risk of gallbladder cancer and pancreatitis increases.

Consequences of obesity - cancer

Obese people are more likely to have cancer of the gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, liver and kidneys. The death rate from cancer also almost doubles.

Consequences of obesity - lumbar pain

Excess weight increases the load on the joints and spinal and hip muscles, which leads to back pain. Joints and spinal column. The intervertebral discs cannot withstand the load and are destroyed. Radiculitis develops.

Consequences of obesity - gout and arthritis

Excess weight increases the load on joints significantly, which leads to the development of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. One form of arthritis is gout, which usually affects thumb, and it occurs most often in obese people.

Consequences of obesity - breast cancer

Excess body weight increases the risk of breast cancer.

Consequences of obesity - prostate cancer

U overweight men The risk of prostate cancer is higher than in men of normal weight.

When normal weight increases by 10%, life is shortened by 14%. And if the weight increases by 20%, then life is reduced by 45%.

How to prevent obesity, obesity prevention

It is necessary to reconsider your lifestyle, wisely distributing food and be sure to add physical activity, one that you like and enjoy. After all, the most common reason is a discrepancy between calorie intake and calorie expenditure - overeating and low physical activity.

The most effective, affordable and simple way physical activity you can call it a daily half-hour walk at a fast pace.

Eat little by little, five times a day. And don’t forget that it’s easier to lose five kilograms than fifteen or twenty. So you need to take care of yourself as early as possible so that you don’t unnoticed turn into a bubble person.

When should you sound the alarm?

Then, when five kilograms have been added to your usual weight. Calculate your body mass index: divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. The resulting amount is called the body mass index. If it ranges from 18.5 to 25, this is normal. Excess weight starts from 25-30, and over 30 is already obese. There is no need to blame obesity and overweight on genes: they are to blame for them only in one quarter of cases. In the remaining three quarters, the wrong lifestyle is to blame: nutrition, rest, lack of physical activity.

How to eat properly?

• Avoid fast food completely.
• The basis of nutrition should be hard-to-digest carbohydrates: cereals, group A pasta, wholemeal bread, vegetables, legumes, berries and fruits.
• Vegetables in any form are the healthiest. They contain a lot of fiber and healthy carbohydrates.
  An excellent option is a combination of vegetables with lean meat or fish.
• Low-fat cheeses and other dairy and fermented milk products are also very healthy. They, as well as vegetables, are ideal for an evening meal that needs to replace a full dinner.
• Close attention should be paid to the serving size, as well as the calorie content of the product.
• It is necessary to minimize the consumption of mayonnaise, sausages, cream, nuts, seeds, cakes, chips and other foods high in fat.
• Sweet drinks, jam, confectionery, sugar - products containing easily digestible carbohydrates - are not recommended.

As a result proper nutrition and increasing physical activity, your body will receive:

• improvement of fat and carbohydrate metabolism;
• improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• reduction of pain in joints and spine;
• reduction of swelling and shortness of breath;
• improvement of general well-being.

Lilia Yurkanis
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Obesity- this is a disease that must be taken into account and under no circumstances neglected. You must make every effort to cure it, but often people have a completely different attitude towards it. As men and women age, they automatically gain weight; this is considered significant. In other words, stage 1 obesity does not bother anyone; they begin to pay attention only in those cases that are described below; this article is about the consequences of obesity. In most cases, the consequences of obesity are necessarily present, and all because fat is a powerful endocrine tissue that affects all types of metabolism in the body. The situation is that women are more susceptible to excess weight, but they tolerate the consequences of obesity much easier, since the body can be said to be predisposed to such reserves. Thanks to their physiology, fat is deposited on the hips, buttocks and maybe in the lower abdomen, which does not affect their life activity in any way, except perhaps starting from the second stage. It is difficult for men to gain weight due to large quantity muscles in the body, which are very gluttonous, at the initial stage of obesity it is much easier to lose weight, but if a man has already gained excess weight, then he will definitely have serious complications. We’ll talk about the consequences of obesity now.

Consequences of obesity

1. High blood pressure. If you have arterial hypertension, just lose weight and your blood pressure will return to normal. In 80% of cases, the consequences of obesity are accompanied by an obligatory increase in blood pressure.
2. The next consequence of obesity is again a blow to the heart, atherosclerosis occurs in every 3rd person even at stage 1. Due to excess weight, the nutrition of the myocardium is reduced, its contractility is reduced, which leads to coronary disease and chronic cardiovascular failure.
3. The consequences of obesity can even affect brain function and manifest themselves in the form of: dizziness, headache, insomnia, drowsiness, memory loss. All this happens due to insufficient blood supply; the heart simply cannot cope.
4. Defeat reproductive system in women, menstrual-ovarian dysfunction, infertility. With obesity, it is difficult for women to conceive a child, and in men the amount of testosterone decreases and the amount of estrogen increases, and libido decreases significantly.
5. Excess weight is bad for your lungs. Consequences of obesity in the form of: intrapleural pressure, high condition of the diaphragm, compression of veins, reduced gas exchange surface and narrowing of the airways, etc. All this mechanically interferes with breathing normally, which increases the chance of developing bronchitis and pneumonia; the more weight, the higher the chance of getting sick.
6. Changes in kidney function that lead to an increased chance of kidney stones, as well as a whole bunch of other diseases.
7. Diabetes mellitus type 2, the development of which is promoted by fat cells. Due to the large amount of fat deposits, cells cannot properly absorb glucose due to insulin resistance, and it gradually turns into fat because it cannot be processed normally, and the pancreas is constantly under load, producing more and more insulin. All this leads to a vicious circle in which your weight only increases and the risk of increasing the consequences of obesity increases.
8. Snore at night occurs due to blockage of the airways, and a person experiences oxygen starvation of the brain. Without sufficient oxygen, the production of growth hormone decreases and, as a result, insulin resistance develops, and this already affects the development of type 2 diabetes.
9. Oncological diseases. Increased risk of prostate and colon cancer in men, and possible breast cancer in women.
10. Visceral fat is especially harmful; it releases fatty acids into the blood, which form bad cholesterol., and it already increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Due to visceral fat, insulin resistance increases, and this is a direct path to the development of type 2 diabetes. The list of consequences of obesity does not end there; it also changes hormonal background for the worse and produces hormones that stimulate appetite.
11. Negative impact on digestive system . Infiltration of the liver occurs, formation of cholesterol stones in the lumen of the gallbladder, and this is already cholelithiasis. The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to gastritis, cholecystitis and colitis.
12. Damage to the spine and joints. Heavy weight puts a lot of stress on the joints and spine. Osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of radiculitis, lumbago, and intervertebral hernias.
13. Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to vasoconstriction and stroke. Changes in blood properties, increasing the tendency to form blood clots.

In conclusion, I would like to say that, based on the above-mentioned consequences of obesity, this disease should in no case be taken lightly, because people suffering from obesity have a reduced standard of living by 10-15 years. Be sure to lose weight and watch your diet. Food not only makes it possible to live on, but can also cripple you if you don’t monitor your eating behavior.

Overweight syndrome is a pressing problem modern world. A sedentary lifestyle, stress, bad habits, street fast food are risk factors that lead the population of all ages to varying degrees of obesity.

The United States holds the record for the number of overweight people - two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Europe is in second place with about 28% of obese people. Japan ranks third with 20% of overweight people.

Chronic obesity is gradually becoming a global epidemic. Overweight and obesity have become common diagnoses even among people in developing countries. Previously, the acute problem here was the lack of food, now every tenth person suffers from diseases associated with excess weight.

The presence of excess weight can be determined using Quetelet’s formula: BMI = Weight/Height2 [kg/m2]. A BMI greater than 25 indicates overweight.

Quetelet's formula is the main guideline in diagnosing excess weight. Please note that a BMI that is slightly higher than normal does not warrant a diagnosis of obesity. But if they arise associated symptoms(extra pounds make it difficult to tolerate physical activity, the functions of internal organs and skin are impaired, stomach upsets, constipation, thirst, shortness of breath appear, and joints hurt), which means it’s time to seek help from specialists in the field of nutrition.

Overweight and obesity are different concepts. With obesity, a thick layer of fat accumulates under the skin. Fat forms in the chest, abdomen, thighs and buttocks, covers the heart, blood vessels and liver, provokes organ dysfunction and chronic diseases.

• Cardiovascular diseases develop. deposited on the walls of blood vessels, blood clots form. Blood circulation worsens, blood pressure increases, and the risk of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension, and strokes increases. The heart increases in size and becomes covered with fat. Performance decreases, shortness of breath torments.
• Metabolism is disrupted and diabetes mellitus develops. The retinas of the eyes and kidneys suffer, the body does not fight infections well - due to high level Sugar in the blood becomes an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria.
Poor digestibility of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and salts provokes dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Salts are deposited, joints hurt, and the risk of developing arthritis, arthrosis, neuritis, and gout increases. Excess weight puts stress on the spine and leg joints. The center of gravity shifts, cartilage tissue wears away, and curvature of the spine occurs.
• Overeating is bad for the liver. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle, excessive carbohydrate consumption fills the liver with glycogen and fat deposits. Excess weight causes fatty liver, diseases of the gallbladder and ducts, and the formation of stones.
• Gastrointestinal diseases occur. Chronic overeating overloads the digestive system. Stomach and small intestine increase in size up to 40%, which leads to digestive disorders, chronic gastritis and other diseases.
• Sexual functions are impaired. Half of obese women have problems menstrual cycle, there are problems with conception, infertility. Excess weight, even in young men, leads to impotence and decreased sperm activity.

Causes of excess weight

Doctors are confident that the main causes of obesity are associated with genetic and endocrine disorders and heredity. Nutritionists respond by stating that an innate predisposition to excess weight will not manifest itself if a person is taught to eat properly from childhood. Psychologists say that excess weight is a consequence of stress and dislike for one’s own body.

If a participant decides to ignore traditions, he will certainly encounter condemnation and resistance from others. By changing eating behavior, the participant unwittingly forces others to adjust their diet, which they clearly did not plan.

Lack of understanding and support from family and friends makes it difficult to achieve the goal, and sometimes stops a person halfway to losing excess weight.

Eating habits

The harm of eating habits imposed by the Western lifestyle is known to people, but changing habitual behavior is not so easy. It seems that the crazy pace of life, busy work schedule, bustle and stressful situations should contribute to weight loss. As a result, another risk factor for the development of obesity arises. Pay attention to the list of habits that do not bring anything good to people, but harm the body and figure.

• People have forgotten how to have breakfast. Breakfast is the main source of energy. In the morning, a person should consume at least 400 kilocalories to feel normal. If you didn’t have breakfast in the morning, you eat on the go, quickly and a lot, or you eat up for the whole day with a hearty dinner.
• They eat poor quality food. Delicacies, sweets, smoked meats, fast food - food rich in flavors, carbohydrates, calories. Nutrients – zero, one harm to the body. A lack of fruits and vegetables interferes with the synthesis of good cholesterol and the elimination of bad cholesterol.
• Eat in large portions. Nutritionists recommend placing a portion on a plate that fits in two palms. People are able to eat 2-3-4 times more food, but the body will absorb and process only the first portion into energy, and subcutaneous fat is formed from excess food.
• They eat and watch TV. While eating, you need to look at the food, and listen to your own stomach in order to receive a signal from the body in time: “I’m full”! TV occupies the brain with unnecessary information, so there is no control over the saturation process. And a conditioned reflex is developed: the TV turned on - your mouth waters, you urgently need to make a sandwich.
• They chew gum. Chewing gum contains carbohydrates; in addition, chewing gum on an empty stomach provokes gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases. As a result, digestion and metabolism are disrupted.
• They forget. Water is an essential solvent for digestion. You need to drink two liters of clean water at room temperature per day. Not tea, not soda, not juices - just plain water.

Lack of physical activity

The era of a sedentary lifestyle has arrived for humans. We work while sitting, we drive while sitting, we eat while sitting, while sitting we watch TV or sit at the computer, we sit with friends in a cafe... Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for overweight and obesity. Being active and athletic is also good for appearance, and for the health of the whole body.

A person needs healthy physical activity, at least 60 minutes of daily exercise: running, jumping jacks, swimming, regular morning exercises.

Sleep problems

Chronic sleep problems lead to exhaustion of the body. A person who has not had enough sleep feels lethargic and is not ready for vigorous activity. Instinctively, the body looks for a source of additional energy and finds it in food. In addition, fatigue reduces the level of protein, which is responsible for regulating appetite, and metabolism slows down. No matter how much a person eats, the energy reserves in the body will not be replenished. Calories burn slowly, and the feeling of hunger continues to torment you.

Psychological

People who are in a state of chronic emotional stress, strive to drown out internal discomfort by any means. Having not found support among loved ones, many find solace in food.

Stress

Stressful situations increase the level of hormones in the human body. In order to protect against aggressive external environment hormones are produced: cortisol (responsible for preserving energy resources) and cortisone (causes the accumulation of fat reserves). The fight against stress begins.

To get rid of a stressful state, a person needs to use an active strategy: find and eliminate the cause of the situation. But more often the struggle takes place in a passive form, the body tries to eliminate the consequences, and not the cause of the situation.

People who are prone to obesity choose passive strategies to deal with stress - instead of looking for solutions, they “eat up problems.”

Psychotherapists have noticed that symptoms of central obesity in women (when excess abdominal fat accumulates on the abdomen) indicate dissatisfaction with life. A thick fat pad is formed in the solar plexus area - the energy center for protection from the outside world. How stronger woman If you are dissatisfied with yourself and life, the more fat is formed on your stomach.

Alexithymia

With alexithymia, a person cannot distinguish between emotions and does not recognize the difference between feelings of fear and anxiety, sadness and anger. Feeling nervous tension, boredom, disappointment, people experience emotional hunger, but mistake it for physical hunger. As a result, every emotional outburst is accompanied by a hearty snack.

Sexual problems

Lack of regular sex life leads to a lack of the good hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin, the “calm hormone,” is also released when consumed. Therefore, single people compensate for the lack of sex by eating fatty foods.

Excess body weight may be associated with negative sexual experiences in the past.

People who have experienced sexual violence experience anxiety and fear when thinking about intimate relationships, and unconsciously strive. Excess weight helps them get rid of attractive forms, hide their natural sexuality, and avoid repeating unpleasant experiences.

Many women gain weight after marriage. Psychologists say that slender beauties who have found family happiness turn into plump women due to the loss of the need to seduce and attract men. A married woman has no one to show off her figure except her own husband. And the husband supposedly loves his wife “in any form”...

Homework: After familiarizing yourself with the mechanisms of excess weight accumulation, make a list of risk factors that lead to the accumulation of fat in your body or prevent you from losing weight. Using the list, find solutions that will help you eliminate the causes and develop a weight loss strategy.

Fighting excess weight

The fight against excess weight is, first of all, an internal confrontation between willpower and excessive appetite and laziness. The latter factors win out more often, which is why few people manage to get closer to their cherished ideal weight.

If your decision to lose weight is rock solid, you are ready to believe in the power of healthy eating and adjust your diet, stop sitting on the couch and start doing a daily set of weight loss exercises - you can win over excess weight!!!

Help from a nutritionist

Consulting a nutritionist is a necessary step on the path to weight loss. Each body is unique, so there is no single prevention that can help everyone. By contacting a nutritionist, you will receive comprehensive information about your body and find out which weight loss strategy will suit your body. The specialist will explain in detail the basic rules for losing weight that you will have to follow throughout your life.

• Not to starve! The diet only needs to be slightly adjusted: reduce the single serving, replace harmful foods with healthy analogues. Strict diets, instead of losing weight, have the opposite effect. Feeling prolonged hunger, the body decides that extreme times have come and it urgently needs to stock up on fat.
• Eat little and often! Nutritionists recommend eating your daily diet in 5 meals: breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner. Feeling the urge to grab a quick snack, choose fruits, vegetables,... You should not eat before going to bed.
• Maintain balance nutrients! Balance your diet so that you eat 30% protein, 20% fat and 50% carbohydrates per day.
• Burn more calories than you eat! Therefore, the more you eat at lunch, the more physical activity you need to burn off the calories. Conclusion: either eat in moderation, or sweat in the gym sparing no effort.
• Drink water! A glass of water, drunk half an hour before meals, will dull hunger and the desire to devour all the dishes that are on the table. In addition, water is a universal solvent and is necessary for digestion.

Help from a psychologist

Normal eating behavior is the best therapy for excess weight. Keep track of what you think about, do and feel while eating, write down your observations in your diary. The recordings will help you understand what behaviors need to be changed.

• Eat mindfully! Listen to your inner feelings, try to eat to satisfy your hunger, and do not “eat” stress and emotional tension.
• Turn off the TV! You need to eat at the table, looking at the plate, thinking about the benefits that the food you eat will bring. Break the association between eating and watching TV, reading, and talking.
• Distinguish between hunger and emotions! Find out what emotion makes you feel hungry? Fear, boredom, sadness, fatigue? If you are drawn to the refrigerator by emotion rather than hunger, find other ways to satisfy your emotional needs.
• Learn to think sensibly! Negative attitude towards healthy eating makes dieting a punishment for those who are losing weight. Learn to overcome negative attitudes and encourage healthy eating habits, otherwise therapy will not be effective.
• Choose an active rhythm! Use to track your activity level and track calories burned during the day. This way you will quickly learn self-control and make sure that you have chosen the right path.

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