Obesity & calorie burning
Health consequences of obesity
Obesity has recently been listed as a major independent risk factor for heart disease and
stroke. Previously, it was considered a minor risk factor associated with many of its other attendant medical problems. Overfat individuals are at significantly increased risk for diabetes,
high blood pressure and elevated
cholesterol.
Cancers including breast, colorectal, prostate and endometrial occur in higher rates of obese individuals. Obesity increases the risk of gall stones and gall bladder disease. Obstructive sleep apnea with respiratory problems, daytime sleepiness, heart disease and reduced mental function, is much higher in
obese individuals than those near their
ideal body weight. The extra weight that obese individuals carry leads to increased
osteoarthritis and back pain. Gout and varicose veins are also complications.
Causes of obesity
Obesity is a product of genetic predisposition (heredity) and environmental factors. Some individuals have a genetic make up that causes them to store fats easier than others. Although the total number of fat cells is relatively fixed, the size of the cells varies dramatically depending on the amount of fat stored in each cell. Between 30% and 50% of an individual's
fat make up is genetically determined. Environmental factors, such as disease and medications, can influence fat distribution. Thyroid disease directly affects
metabolism and weight. Medications such as
steroids can cause an increase in central body fat. These are rare causes of obesity.
Calorie burn rate - basal metabolic rate
The most significant environmental factor in determining weight is food and
calories taken in versus those expended. Even with a genetic tendency toward being overfat, in the absence of more
calories taken
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