{"id":696,"date":"2024-09-08T03:25:11","date_gmt":"2024-09-08T01:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bariatrica.com\/?page_id=696"},"modified":"2024-09-17T17:09:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T15:09:51","slug":"que-es-la-obesidad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bariatrica.com\/en\/la-obesidad\/que-es-la-obesidad\/","title":{"rendered":"What is obesity?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is obesity?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat. It is clinically defined by measures that "estimate" adiposity based on body weight, body build, and height. (1)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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No longer considered a cosmetic problem caused by overeating and a lack of self-control, the World Health Organization (WHO), along with national and international medical and scientific societies, now recognizes obesity as a chronic, progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors.<\/p>

It is a number one risk factor, which can be controlled, and which is directly related to many diseases (called comorbidities) such as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, embolisms, infertility, heart attacks and certain types of cancer.<\/p>

Obesity management has become a key factor in preventing many diseases and treating many patients who already suffer from them.<\/p>

Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, there has been a parallel increase in the prevalence of T2DM, which currently stands at 91% of the population worldwide and is projected to reach 121% by 2025. Considering the growing population, the global burden of diabetes is likely to increase by more than 50% in the next decade. Metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and heart failure. (3)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Causes of Obesity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlthough there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic, and hormonal influences on body weight, obesity occurs when more calories are consumed than are burned through exercise and normal daily activities. The body stores these excess calories as fat.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Obesity is often the result of a combination of causes and contributing factors such as the following:<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The genes you inherit from your parents can affect the amount of body fat you store and where that fat is distributed. Genetics can also play an important role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy, how your body regulates your appetite, and how your body burns calories during exercise.<\/p>

Obesity tends to run in families. Not only because of shared genes, but also because family members tend to share similar eating and activity habits.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Unhealthy diet<\/strong>
A high-calorie diet, high-calorie beverages, and overly large portions contribute to weight gain.<\/p>

Inactivity<\/strong>
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, it's very easy to consume more calories each day than you burn through exercise and normal daily activities. Staring at computer, tablet, and phone screens is a sedentary activity. The number of hours you spend in front of a screen is highly associated with weight gain.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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In some people, obesity may have a medical cause, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, or other disorders. Medical problems, such as arthritis, can also reduce physical activity, which can lead to weight gain.<\/p>

Some medications can cause weight gain if not compensated for through diet or physical activity. These medications include some antidepressants, antiseizure medications, diabetes medications, antipsychotics, steroids, and beta-blockers.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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There are social and economic factors linked to obesity. Similarly, you may not have been taught healthy cooking methods or may not have access to healthier foods. Additionally, the people you spend time with can influence your weight; you're more likely to develop obesity if you have obese friends or relatives.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. However, as you age, hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. Likewise, the amount of muscle in your body tends to decrease with age.<\/p>

Generally, decreased muscle mass leads to a slower metabolism. These changes also reduce your calorie needs, which can make it harder to avoid excess weight. If you don't consciously monitor what you eat and don't get more physical activity as you age, you're likely to gain weight.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Pregnancy<\/strong>Weight gain is common during pregnancy. For some women, it's difficult to lose the weight they gained after giving birth. This weight gain can contribute to the development of obesity in women. Breastfeeding may be the best option for losing the weight gained during pregnancy.<\/p>

Quit smoking<\/strong>Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And for some people, it can lead to enough weight gain to qualify as obesity. This often happens when people use food to cope with smoking withdrawal. However, in the long term, quitting smoking is still a greater health benefit than continuing to smoke. Your doctor can help you prevent weight gain after quitting smoking.<\/p>

Lack of sleep<\/strong>Not getting enough sleep or getting too much sleep can cause hormonal changes that increase your appetite. You may also crave foods high in calories and carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain.<\/p>

Stress<\/strong>Many external factors that affect mood and well-being can contribute to obesity. People often seek out more high-calorie foods when experiencing stressful situations.<\/p>

Microbial<\/strong>Gut bacteria are affected by what you eat and can contribute to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.<\/p>

Previous attempts to lose weight<\/strong>Previous weight loss attempts followed by rapid weight regain can contribute to further weight gain. This phenomenon, sometimes called yo-yo dieting, can slow your metabolism.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Consequences of Obesity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Some of the diseases and complications related to Obesity are the following:<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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