Obesity in the UK

Warda SalimAryan Ala’Aldeen

Definition• Obesity is when a persons body weight is 20%

beyond their ideal weight• It is a condition in which excess body fat has

been accumulated to such an extent that their health is being negatively affected and may lead to more cases of mortality

• Bariatrics is the name given to the branch of medicine which deals with patients suffering with obesity

• Obesity is evaluated by measuring -:–BMI (body mass index)–Waist circumference– Evaluating the presence of risk factors

• BMI takes into consideration a persons height in metres and weight in kg using the formula -:

Quantitative indication of obesity

Causes• The intake of too many calories• Lack of exercise – career orientation, transport

options and fast food• Parental influence – children who have obese

parents have approximately 70% chance of becoming obese compared with children that have normal ranged parents, where they only have 20% chance.

• Pregnancy at a later age• Lack of sleep• Eating disorders

• Medical reasons – certain medication can cause weight gain or changes in body composition- these include insulin, atypical antidepressants, steroids and hormonal contraception.

• Genetic syndromes such as Prader Willi syndrome, Cohen syndrome as well as congenital or acquired syndromes Hypothyroidism, Cushings syndrome and eating disorders – binge eating and night eating disorders

Effects• Osteoarthritis - Bone and cartilage degeneration

especially prevalent in knee j.• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)• Hypertension - High blood pressure e.g.

arteriosclerosis• High cholesterol - fatty deposits in blood vv.• Respiratory problems e.g. asthma• Type 2 diabetes - Adult onset diabetes• Stroke - Deprivation of oxygen to the brain• Cancer• GIT related diseases e.g. gallbladder disease

Impact• Obesity is a public health and policy problem, because

of its prevalence, costs and health effects.• Efforts – healthy meal programs at schools, increase

bicycle routes and park access .• An economic strain on the country.• Services must accommodate obese people with special

facilities e.g. wheelchairs.• It has become a disadvantage for employment that

more people are becoming obese, and thus increase business costs.

Treatment• Healthy diet and exercise – diet programs set up

in order to loose weight• Spreading awareness and education on risks and

how to stay healthy• Liposuction• Anti-obesity medication – e.g. Orlistat,

Sibutramine and Amphetamines• Bariatric surgery - major costs but surgery may

also have complications. This is option for those with BMI above 40, and have failed to loose weight by natural means

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity• http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_United_Kingdom

• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/obe/obe_causes.html

• http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/uk-obesity-statistics.htm

• www.google.com