Morbid Obesity

1. Is morbid obesity purely a lifestyle ailment? Or are certain other illnesses that may cause the rapid gain of weight? What are these illnesses?

Morbid obesity is a condition where body mass index (BMI) higher than 35. It is the complex disease with strong genetic, environmental, cultural determinants along with lifestyle ailment.  All though an individual may be genetically predispose to obesity; it primarily arises from a combination of environmental and behavioral factors, ultimately resulting in imbalance in energy intake and utilization.  In addition, a number of disease states predispose individual to obesity, whilst some drugs treatments are associated with significant weight gain.

Following are few of the other reasons for weight gain.

• Genetic – Overweight and obesity tend to run in families. Chances of being overweight are more if one or both parents are overweight or obese.

Genes also affects the amount of fat stored in body. Since families share food and physical activity habits, a link exists between genes and the environment.

Children adopt the habits of their parents. A child who has overweight parents who eat high-calorie foods and are inactive will likely become overweight too. However, if the family adopts healthy food and physical activity habits, the child’s chance of being overweight or obese is reduced.

• Health conditions – Co morbid disease (e.g. endocrine problems, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, tumors [e.g. hypothalamic, insulinoma]), pituitary disease and damage, growth hormone deficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome) are few of the illnesses which causes rapid weight gain..

• Drug treatment –Certain medicines (e.g. antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, oral hypoglycemic, insulin, and pizotifen) may cause weight gain. These medicines can slow the rate at which your body burns calories, increase your appetite, or cause your body to hold on to extra water. All of these factors can lead to weight gain.
• Lack of sleep -People who sleep fewer hours also seem to prefer eating foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates, which can lead to overeating, weight gain, and obesity.

2. What are the common obstacles obese patients face in trying to deal with weight loss?

Common obstacles faced by patients are:

• Not liking what you eat: Eating healthy is always considered as boring. First of all, one may not really know what good, nutritious food tastes like.

• So for that one ends up trying to get rid of the cravings for unhealthy food and avoiding the food completely out of your diet
• Or else reduce the quantity

This eventually makes one run from the things which he hasn’t even given the whole thought.

TIP:  One can introduce healthy spices and flavors in dishes to arouse the tastebuds in the right direction.

• Hate staying hungry

Appetite and hunger are two things which make diet fails. Dieting need not be by staying hungry. One can include lots of veggies, sprouts, brussels, fruits.  The common myth is stop having fat. But fat (required in appropriate amount) along with protein will keep you full. Carbs by themselves will give you energy, but one might collapse soon after because you don’t have any protein and fiber to slow. Sprinkle on vinegars, flavored sauces and spices to make them more interesting

TIP: Eat small portion small interval. Add flavors and spices to make it palatable

• Lack of time for exercises:

Lack of time is one of the prime obstacles one may face in his weight loss journey, but yes it should be made as a priority. Without consistent exercise or activity, one may face a lot of trouble losing weight. It doesn’t mean one has to sweat it out at the gym for long hours, but something which might get your heart pumping and metabolism to soar high.

TIP: Look for an activity which fits into the schedule.

• Got a sweet tooth, difficult to give up on sweets.

If it is the case, then it’s high time where you need to understand that sugar is the one culprit who would make your weight loss remain as a dream. It is far better to have some of sugar once a week than some sugar every day.

TIP: Can start using little jaggery in place of sugar for a while.

• Lack of motivation: One always needs reasons for achieving some important things in life. First reasons, then planning and then doing it. It is always easier to lose weight before a wedding or school reunion.

TIP: Make groups with people with same targets.

3. Can all obese patients be dealt with purely on the basis of diet and exercise? What are some of the reasons a diet or exercise method may fail?

•  Lack of persistence in scheduled plan:

One must have tried hard in the past to lose weight with no results which has convinced one that it’s going to be the same. This makes you lose interest and give up the plan.  Some might find it hard to keep with the strict diet plan and exercise schedule due to busy life schedule. But the rule remains simple that one should go by ‘never give up” attitude for the future life to be sound.

• Workout pattern was all wrong :

        One must understand the over enthusiasm in any field is hazardous. There’s hardest exercises you plan in the start since you are over enthusiastic and then you are forced to quit it altogether for days long. Over doing of exercises hasn’t helped anyone. It would eventually make you tired and weak. High-intensity weight loss exercises could be started only after your body muscles get accustomed to light exercises for a week or two. Keep on repeatedly changing the sets of exercise.

• Stress makes you lose it:

Stress management is an important factor when it comes to effective weight loss. Even the best diet plans and workouts will fail to reduce effective weight loss results if you remain over stressed and tensioned always.

Stop numbering every bit of food you eat

Follow a balanced diet plan and a sustainable workouts regimen to achieve good weight loss with sound mind..

• Bad sleep pattern:

Sleep is as important factor as the rest which is required for weight loss. Lack of sleep makes your anxiety level spike high leading to disruption of the weight loss regime. Avoid caffeine or any other stimulants from food, beverages, supplements, or medicines, and refrain from drinking anything a couple of hours before you hit the bed.

4. What are some of the hazards of unsupervised diets and exercise regimens that people tend to follow?

Morbid Obesity can lead to serious health consequences. These include an increased  risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, and some forms of cancer. Losing weight can help reduce these risks. But any treatment plans for it should be done under the supervision. Lack of it can have serious health effects on the body.

Very low calorie diets should be pursued only under medical supervision. Unsupervised very low calorie diets can deprive you of important nutrients and are potentially dangerous.

Fad diets are temporary. Extreme changes in your eating patterns are difficult to sustain over time. To lose weight safely and keep it off requires long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Crash diets often gives quick weight loss, followed by a rebound weight gain once normal eating resumes, and makes it even more difficult to lose weight when the next diet is attempted.

Always keep the diet plan as small meals in small intervals and adequate amount of any physical activity to storm of the excess baggage of weight.

5. What is the ideal timeline for the loss of large amounts of weight?

Ideal time frame for losing weight:

Weight loss should always be a gradual one, slowly and not to hurry as dropping 25 pounds in as little as two weeks. Concentrate on one to two pounds per week, losing 20 pounds(9-10 kgs) will take you a little more than 12 weeks, or three months.

Keep short range goals rather than a long term ones. Loss 5 pounds, be happy and then gradually go upto the bigger goals.