Carbohydrates likely to promote obesity

DEAr Dr AMREF, I hear that obesity is inherited but in a family of 10, I am the only obese person. What causes obesity? What are the problems of obesity? Can obesity be prevented? FPLP-Makerere University Dear FPLP, Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat. Excess fat accumulates when energy (food) intake exceeds energy needs. Excess energy is stored as fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to detect obesity. BMI is obtained by dividing one's weight in kilogrammes by his/her height in metres squared. A BMI of 20 to 25 is acceptable. A BMI of 25-29.9. indicates overweight. Obesity starts at a BMI of 30, while gross obesity starts at a BMI of 40. The table below shows acceptable ranges of one's weight for height in adult males and females. Causes of obesity Factors associated with obesity include age, social-economic and cultural factors, occupation, heredity, sex, hormones, drugs and diseases. Age Obesity is common in middle age because of diminished physical activities. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is likely to be followed by obesity in adult life. Social-economic and cultural factors Business lunches can contribute to over-eating. In some cultures obesity is encouraged since it signifies beauty. Carbohydrate diets (sweet potatoes, cassava) are more likely to promote obesity than protein diets (millet, lean meat). Occupation Fashion models, pilots, athletes are usually slim to keep in shape. Cooks are likely to become obese. Heredity Obesity tends to run in families, but it is difficult to separate environmental influence from genetics. 80% of offspring of two obese parents become obese. Sex and hormones The normal fat content of young adult women is about twice that of young men. Pregnancy is characterised by an increase in body fat. Obesity in women commonly begins at puberty, during pregnancy or at menopause. Under or over production of hormones can precipitate obesity. For example under production of thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or of the gonads (hypogonadism) while over production of the adrenal gland (Cushing's syndrome) leads to obesity. Energy balance Food in take should be for meeting body requirements in terms of growth, repair, energy for work, play and so on. A very small excess of food in take, if habitual, leads to excess energy. Excess energy is changed to fat. Many times alcohol, soft drinks and sugared teas are not considered as sources of energy. Drugs - use of appetite stimulating drugs such as steroids, oral contraceptives may lead to weight gain. Problems associated with obesity Gross obesity leads to mechanical and physical problems, for example flat feet, pain in the knee and hip joints, backache and so on. Abdominal hernias and respiratory problems are commoner in the obese. The obese are more likely to develop non insulin diabetes mellitus, gall-stones, gout and high blood pressure (hypertension). Prevention of obesity Since obesity occurs when energy intake is in excess of the body's requirement, weight reduction is achieved when food (energy) intake just meets the body requirements. There are no "slimming tables" which do not depend on a reduced energy intake. Weight reduction is not a very easy task. But it is better to avoid obesity by regularly (weekly) measuring one's weight. Obesity associated with hormonal disorders needs a medical worker's advice. Ends