Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition in which the body stores so much fat that it increases the risk of other conditions. Obesity can have serious consequences for health.

When do you have obesity?

Obesity means having severe excess weight. This can be calculated using the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a number that indicates the relationship between height and weight. A BMI above 30 is classified as obesity. If you are short and muscular, your BMI may also be higher; this does not necessarily mean you have obesity.

What are the consequences of obesity?

Obesity increases the risk of other health problems, including:

• Type 2 diabetes.
• Heart problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Sleep apnoea (not breathing during sleep).
• Some forms of cancer.
• Shorter life expectancy.
• Physical complaints affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back.
• Reduced stamina (getting tired quickly).

What causes obesity?

People with obesity generally consume more energy through food than they use through movement. Heredity or genetic predisposition may play a role.

The body needs energy to maintain basic functions such as circulating blood, controlling the brain and operating the organs. This is called the resting metabolism and is expressed in calories. Your basic calorie requirement is the amount of energy needed to get through a day without additional physical exertion.

Daily activities and movement require additional energy. Adding this to your basic calorie requirement gives the total number of calories you need each day. If you consume more than this, you take in more energy than you need and may gradually gain weight.

On average, women need 2000 calories per day and men 2500, although this depends on age and lifestyle. You can calculate your approximate daily calorie requirement using the relevant tool.

Heredity
Heredity may also play a role. Some people use more energy because they have a faster metabolism. Body composition is also important: muscles use more calories at rest than fat tissue. Despite these factors, the main problem is often still eating too much.

Other causes
In exceptional cases, obesity may be caused by a metabolic disease, medication or a psychological condition.

How does age affect obesity?

Age itself does not cause obesity. However, resting metabolism decreases as we get older, so fewer calories are needed to maintain basic bodily functions. 

Resting metabolism is partly determined by hormones. This is why people may report weight gain and difficulty losing weight around the menopause or male menopause. It is important to eat less and/or exercise more as we age.

What are the risk factors for obesity?

Eating too much and eating an unhealthy diet are the main causes of obesity. Other risk factors include:

• Eating disorder.
  Irregular eating can disrupt metabolism. Alternating periods of very little food with normal or excessive eating may cause the body to store extra fat.
• Excessive carbohydrate intake.
  Too many carbohydrates, especially sugar, can disrupt fat storage.
• Stress.
  Long-term stress can cause cortisol to build up, increasing fat storage and appetite.
• Too little sleep.
  Poor sleep can prevent recovery and increase cortisol. Night workers are more often overweight.
• Hormone-disrupting substances.
  Medication or toxic substances can disrupt the hormone balance.
• Stopping smoking.
  Smoking suppresses appetite, and food may taste better after quitting.

What can you do yourself about obesity?

Pay attention to what and how much you eat. Check food labels for calorie content, even on products that seem healthy.

Tips

• Watch your calorie intake.
• Get moving and keep moving. Use the stairs instead of the lift and cycle to work, for example.
• Find a sport you enjoy. You are more likely to keep it up.
• Prevent stress. During stressful periods, schedule activities that help you relax, such as exercise, reading, making music or another hobby.

If you have obesity, it is best to seek help with reducing your weight. A dietitian or nutritionist can help. Trying random diets is not advisable, as the body still needs the right nutrients and sufficient energy.

Exercise
Alongside nutrition, exercise is important for losing weight. To find out which movement or sport is suitable for your body, consider making an appointment with a physiotherapist. They can advise which activities are best for you and how to prevent injuries when starting a sport.

Many physiotherapy practices offer special exercise programmes for people with obesity. You may be able to work on your weight in a group with others in a similar situation, under the guidance of a physiotherapist.