Obesity among adults has become quite common in this modern age, but is also affecting children. In the US, there are about 12.5 million overweight children in the age group 2-19 years, says a surgeon.
Steven Galson who is an acting surgeon general in the US termed child obesity as public health problem that can spread up to epidemic proportions. But he applauded the efforts of authorities in Maine that is a part of the Portland, in spreading awareness about childhood obesity. In Maine, about 100000 children under the age of 18 years are found overweight or obese.
What is obesity?
It is the accumulation of more fats in the body. Obesity results in excess body weight than the normal healthy body weight for an adult. It has become a recognized medical condition now and its associated diseases can prove fatal.
Doctors measure the obesity levels of adults with the help of BMI (body mass index). It calculates obesity level of an adult by diving weight in kilograms with height in meters squared. An adult with BMI more than or equal to 30 is considered as obese and with BMI in the range 25-29 is overweight.
What are the causes of obesity?
The causes of obesity among adults include their irregular lifestyle habits and unhealthy eating habits. Most adults prefer junk food that is normally unhealthy over wholesome or healthy food as a result of our rushed lifestyles. Some genetic and environmental factors are also responsible for the growth of obesity among adults as well as children.
What are treatment options?
There are many treatment options for adults who are obese or overweight. Some of these include oral medication drugs, increase in physical activity, diet control, or even anti-obesity surgeries. Some natural drugs are also available for the treatment of obesity.
Some of the prescription drugs for obesity treatment are Reductil, Xenical, and Acomplia. These are oral drugs and should be taken after doing a proper medical consultation. These drugs can also have some side effects.
The increasing trends of obesity can be controlled if adults follow a proper obesity management plan. They need to take part in regular physical activity and should try and maintain a healthy diet.
Although adult obesity is quite common, child obesity is also catching up with it. Children are eating more junk food that is normally unhealthy. In order to put stop to these growing trends of child obesity, adults as well as nations need to implement effective obesity management plans. There is a need to spread more awareness among people about obesity and its endless associated diseases.
