Obesity means the accumulation of excess fat on the body. According to most references, a person is classified as obese if they have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher. The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, which presents a risk to health. Many considered obesity is a disease that affects the rest of one’s body in a negative way leading to increased stress on the heart and other organs. Today, the subject ‘obesity’ is of much concern to millions of people across the world.

Obesity is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetics, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It was once considered a problem only in rich countries, now dramatically on the rise in low and middle-income countries as well. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional.

How to control obesity

For most people who are obese, the safest and most effective way to loose weight is to eat less and exercise more. The body normally maintains a balance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure. However, when this balance is upset, a loss or gain in weight will result. Therefore, both weight losses and weight gains are largely dependent on dietary intake and habitual physical activity.

Physical activity includes walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, aerobics or any other household activities cleaning, washing, climbing stairs etc. Increasing physical activity alone is not an easy way to loose weight unless one combines it with a reduction of fat intake. By decreasing daily calorie intake by 500 calories or expending an extra 500 calories during exercise each day, one will loose about 1 pound a week.

Physical activity along with a healthy diet plays an important role in the prevention of overweight and obesity. In order to maintain a stable weight, a person needs to expend the same amount of calories as he/she consumes. Although the body burns calories for everyday functions such as in breathing, walking or daily activities, many people consume more calories than what they need. Therefore, a good way to burn off extra calories and prevent weight gain is to engage in regular physical activity beyond your routine works.

In order to maintain your weight, calories consumed should be equal to calories used. When calories consumed are more than calories used, it results in weight gain. The best way of keeping a good control on your dietary intake is to keep a daily diary and writing down whatever you eat. In this case, you can consult a dietician who can provide you a diet chart. Avoid high oil content in your daily meal and try to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

Even simple measures such as taking the stairs instead of elevator and short walks can burn a lot of calories.

Hormones and drugs have also been used for losing weight-mainly through increasing RMR (resting metabolic rate). There are mainly two types of weight reducing drugs-one decreases appetite while the other prevents dietary fat being absorbed by the body. These drugs should be taken only with doctor’s advice. Surgical techniques are also used in the treatment of extreme obesity. The main surgical option is to have your stomach banded or stapled so that it cannot accommodate more food.