Obesity in the UK

By Siddharth Reddiar and Mitul Patel

Definition• Obesity is when a person’s weight is roughly 20%

beyond their ideal weight• Ideal weight can be calculated by using BMI (Body

Mass Index)• BMI is a calculation which takes into account the

height and weight of a person

• Less than 18.5 – underweight• 18.5-25 – normal range• 25- 30 – overweight• More than 30 – obese• More than 40 – morbidly obese• 45-50- super obese

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Causes of Obesity

• Obesity is a degenerative disease of which there are many causes

• The intake of too many caloriesThere has been an increase in the intake of sweetened drinks (which

leads to an increase in carb. consumption) and fatty foods.

• The same amount of energy IN and energy OUT over time = weight stays the same

• More energy IN than energy OUT over time = weight gain ･• More energy OUT than energy IN over time = weight loss

Physical• LifestyleLifestyle plays a significant role in Obesity.• A large focus is due to lack of exerciselack of exercise. Currently 66% of the

worlds population get insufficient amount of physical activity.• Increasing use of mechanised transportationuse of mechanised transportation and greater use

of labour saving technology in the home.• Societies have become increasingly reliant on energy dense,

big portion on the go mealsbig portion on the go meals, less are taking out the time to cook homemade meals at home.

• Societies becoming more career orientatedcareer orientated has led to decrease in seeking the time to learn how to learn to cook healthier meals

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

Causes• Medical reasonsMedical reasons – certain medication can cause weight gain or

changes in body composition- these include insulininsulin, atypical antidepressantsantidepressants, steriods and hormonal contraception.

• Obesity is also a rare feature in gentic syndormes such as Prader Willi Prader Willi syndormesyndorme, Cohen syndromeCohen syndrome as well as congential or accquired syndromes Hypothyroidism, Cushings sydromeHypothyroidism, Cushings sydrome and eating and eating disordersdisorders – binge eating and night eating disorders

• Societies becoming more career orientatedcareer orientated has led to decrease in seeking the time to learn how to learn to cook healthier meals

• Stress, depressionStress, depression greater number of hours at work, food is used as a mean of escape.

• Decrease or quit smokingDecrease or quit smoking – which would otherwise suppress the appetite

• Pregnancy at a later agePregnancy at a later age• Lack of sleepLack of sleep

Risks of Obesity

• Osteoarthritis - Bone and cartilage degeneration especially prevalent in knee j.

• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)• Hypertension - High blood pressure• High cholesterol - fatty deposits in blood vv.• Respiratory problems• Type 2 diabetes - Adult onset diabetes• Stroke - Deprivation of oxygen to the brain

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Spread of obesity around the world

Intake of Calories

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

prevalence, costs and health effects.• Efforts have been made by instilling healthy meal programs at

schools, increase bicycle routes and park access .• Obesity has also left a strain economically on the country.• Services must accommodate obese people with special facilities

eg wheelchairs.• It has become a disadvantage for employment that more people

are becoming obese, and thus increase business costs.

Solutions to Obesity• Healthy diet and exercise is the main treatment for obesity . In

order to do this there have been many diet programs set up in order to loose weight. However to keep the weight off can also serve as a problem.

• Encouragement from medical clinics – educating the people and giving out guidelines and recommendations of how to tackle the problem

• Liposuction• Anti-obesity medication – eg Orbistat, Sibutramine – have been

approved by FDA.• Bariatric surgery - is another way to resolve this obesity crisis

however this has major costs, and the NHS cannot cover all. This 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://www.mayoclinic.com/health• http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/uk-obesity-

statistics.htm• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/

obe/obe_causes.html• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/