Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess of body fat. Body fat has several important functions in the body, such as storing energy and providing insulation. Excess body fat, however, may interfere with an individual's health and quality of life. Not only does obesity interfere with everyday activities, it also increases the risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity is a serious health issue presently reaching epidemic proportions in society. It results in medical complications and early morbidity for a great many people. Other health conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity may include heart disease, depression, sleep apnea, hormone imbalances, and leaky gut. The good news is that obesity is preventable and a recoverable condition with the right tools and support.
Causes of Obesity
The balance between calorie intake and energy expenditure has been a basic tool to determine a person's weight. If a greater number of calories is consumed than expended through exercise and daily activities, a person will gain weight since their body stores excess calories. However, what if it is a little more complex than that? Research has shown that obesity does not simply result from lack of self-control. Causes of obesity are varied and may include hormonal, psychological and environmental factors as well as metabolic ones. Factors that may contribute to obesity include:
- Diet high in processed foods
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Hormone Iregularity
- Psychological stress
- Physical stress
- Medications
- Environmental Toxicity
Diagnosis of Obesity
In the medical world obesity is diagnosed not only by the number of excess pounds an individual carries, but by the individual's body mass index, or BMI.
With a Functional Medicine approach we are able to determine the root cause of weight gain or inability to loose excess weight. Many patients we see are not eating enough and working out too hard! Their bodies can not properly detox and this kind of over stressed approach ends up causing more weight gain that spirals back into the same cycle of emotional stress that started the troubles in the first place.
Steps to overcome Obesity
Obesity is a serious problem. Overcoming obesity requires a commitment to lifestyle changes. The first step to recovering from obesity is with proper testing to determine how the body is functioning and detoxing before setting up a person on an aggressive fitness plan. Having real insite to their gut health and working with patients on their mental stressors is the first step in the direction to a healthy, individualized body weight.
Proper Diet
A safe and effective long-term weight-loss diet must contain balanced, nutritious foods to avoid vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. A healthy diet should:
- Be high in fiberous fruits and vegetables
- Contain high quality fats and proteins from pasture raised and grass fed animal sources
- Eliminate processed sugars
- Avoid highly genetically modified foods like soy, wheat, and corn
Remember that maintaining a healthy weight is 80% nutrition and only 20% exercise.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity and exercise help to burn calories. The number of calories burned depends on the type, duration, and intensity of the activity. The recommended type of exercise should always depend on the individual, their abilities, and what they will be able to maintain for a lifetime.
Too often, people think they can lose weight quickly through a brief, strenuous dieting or sudden spurts of exercise. In fact, however, a great majority of people who lose weight rapidly regain that weight within 5 years. More methodical, ongoing effort is usually more effective and long-lasting.