Are we truly aware of our own weight and its hidden consequences? Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our generation, affecting millions globally. According to a TOI report citing research, obesity is linked to more than 224 metabolic and chronic conditions, ranging from diabetes and heart disease to certain cancers and infertility.
Yet, many of us overlook subtle changes in our body. Terms like obesity and BMI often seem distant or irrelevant, until they start impacting our health.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is the excessive accumulation of body fat, which triggers a cascade of health complications. The most common way to assess obesity is through the Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI between 23.0–24.9 kg/m² indicates overweight, while a BMI of 25 kg/m² or above is classified as obese. However, BMI is only a rough estimate of body fat and doesn’t account for muscle mass, so a muscular individual may have a high BMI without excess fat.
What Causes Obesity?
At its core, obesity occurs when calorie intake exceeds what the body can burn. But there’s more to it than simply eating too much. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, steroids, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and diabetes medications, can contribute to weight gain. Lifestyle choices, including frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary snacks, and drinks, or foods rich in saturated fat, also play a significant role.
Genetics and hormones further complicate the picture. Hormones that regulate hunger and satiety can be disrupted by inactivity, excessive screen time, poor sleep, or chronic stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can drive cravings for high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods, which the body then stores as fat. Certain conditions, like metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), can also promote weight gain.
The Domino Effect on Metabolic Health
For Indians, even a lower BMI can increase the risk of metabolic disorders due to higher abdominal fat and genetic predispositions. Metabolism, the process by which the body converts calories into energy, can be disrupted when we consistently consume excess calories. Fat cells expand, releasing chemicals that trigger inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance prevents the body from effectively regulating blood sugar and fat, resulting in elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
When multiple conditions occur together, this cluster is called metabolic syndrome, which significantly raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. Excess fat can also accumulate in the liver, causing inflammation or liver damage, and in the gallbladder, increasing the risk of gallstones. Over time, obesity-driven liver disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are among the leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
Other Health Risks of Obesity
Obesity not only increases the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes and early mortality but also affects respiratory and musculoskeletal health. Extra body weight can strain the lungs and joints, leading to sleep apnea, back pain, asthma, arthritis, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Additionally, obesity is linked to certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, and ovarian, fertility issues, pregnancy complications, and even memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The encouraging news is that even modest weight loss, just 5–10% of body weight, can significantly reduce these health risks.
Steps to Take Control of Your Health
Inputs from TOI
Yet, many of us overlook subtle changes in our body. Terms like obesity and BMI often seem distant or irrelevant, until they start impacting our health.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is the excessive accumulation of body fat, which triggers a cascade of health complications. The most common way to assess obesity is through the Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI between 23.0–24.9 kg/m² indicates overweight, while a BMI of 25 kg/m² or above is classified as obese. However, BMI is only a rough estimate of body fat and doesn’t account for muscle mass, so a muscular individual may have a high BMI without excess fat.
What Causes Obesity?
At its core, obesity occurs when calorie intake exceeds what the body can burn. But there’s more to it than simply eating too much. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, steroids, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and diabetes medications, can contribute to weight gain. Lifestyle choices, including frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary snacks, and drinks, or foods rich in saturated fat, also play a significant role.
Genetics and hormones further complicate the picture. Hormones that regulate hunger and satiety can be disrupted by inactivity, excessive screen time, poor sleep, or chronic stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can drive cravings for high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods, which the body then stores as fat. Certain conditions, like metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), can also promote weight gain.
The Domino Effect on Metabolic Health
For Indians, even a lower BMI can increase the risk of metabolic disorders due to higher abdominal fat and genetic predispositions. Metabolism, the process by which the body converts calories into energy, can be disrupted when we consistently consume excess calories. Fat cells expand, releasing chemicals that trigger inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance prevents the body from effectively regulating blood sugar and fat, resulting in elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
When multiple conditions occur together, this cluster is called metabolic syndrome, which significantly raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. Excess fat can also accumulate in the liver, causing inflammation or liver damage, and in the gallbladder, increasing the risk of gallstones. Over time, obesity-driven liver disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are among the leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
Other Health Risks of Obesity
Obesity not only increases the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes and early mortality but also affects respiratory and musculoskeletal health. Extra body weight can strain the lungs and joints, leading to sleep apnea, back pain, asthma, arthritis, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Additionally, obesity is linked to certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, and ovarian, fertility issues, pregnancy complications, and even memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The encouraging news is that even modest weight loss, just 5–10% of body weight, can significantly reduce these health risks.
Steps to Take Control of Your Health
- Consult a doctor regularly and monitor your weight.
- Adopt a healthy diet rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, while avoiding processed and sugary foods.
- Exercise regularly, at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, irrespective of age or gender.
- Address stress and emotional eating with behavioural therapies or psychological support if needed.
Inputs from TOI
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