What is obesity?

Obesity is the disorder with excessive accumulation of body fat. It occurs because of imbalance between caloric intake and caloric usage. Eating foods with high caloric intake (high fat/high carbohydrate) with lack of exercise/physical activity leads to obesity.

How do I know whether I am obese or overweight?

Measure your height in meter and weight in kg. Calculate your BMI (body mass index) = weight (kg) % height (meter) % height (meter). If your BMI is more than 23, you are overweight and if it if more than 25 you are obese.

Why is there so much of talk about obesity epidemic in Indians?

Complications of obesity occur at much lower weight/BMI in Indians as compared to that in the western world. Hence, We Indians have to be much more careful about obesity & its future complications. Hence, there is an urgent need of awareness & willingness to fight obesity in general population.

Why should obesity be treated?

Untreated obesity can lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart diseases and stroke. In addition, it can increase the risk of some cancers. Hence, it should be treated as soon as possible.

How to treat obesity?

Most important aspect of treating obesity is diet & lifestyle modifications. Total caloric intake has to be decreased by avoiding food items with high fat/ high carbohydrate content. Caloric usage has to be increased by increasing physical activity/exercise. At least 30 minutes of walking/day is recommended.

Diet in obesity?

Avoid: sweets, butter, ghee, cheese, honey, bakery products (Khari/toast/buiscuits/bread/pav/pastries/cakes), potato, sweet potato, fried items, fastfood, junkfood, packaged food, fruit juices & oily foods

Limit: rice, roti & wheat.

Prefer: salads (cucumber/tomato/carrot/onion/cabbage/capsicum), green leafy vegetables, pulses, sprouts, citrus fruits & low fat milk.

Role of medicines in obesity?

Medicines are indicated when BMI is > 30 kg/m2 or > 27 kg/m2 with complications of obesity. Medicines work by reducing fat absorption (e.g. orlistat) or by reducing apatite (e.g. liraglutide).

Role of bariatric surgery in obesity?

Bariatric surgery is indicated in patients having BMI > 40 kg/m2 or > 35 kg/m2 with complications of obesity.