Understanding How Your Weight Impacts Your Health

Cheryl Sarmiento, MD • August 21, 2021

Obesity increases a person's risk of various medical condition

A person whose weight is higher than what is considered as a normal weight adjusted for height is described as being overweight or having obesity. BMI is related to the amount of fat in their bodies, which can raise the risk of many health problems.

Fast Facts:

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013

More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight.

More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity.

More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity.

About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity.

About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity.

Weight management could be beneficial to all people with obesity irrespective of their metabolic profile. The term "Metabolically Healthy Obesity" is defined as having a BMI of at least 30 and at least 4-6 metabolically healthy criteria: blood pressure, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and A1c. They are not actually healthy.

Obesity is pandemic in proportion. It is a chronic disease which requires lifelong treatment. It is It is driven by pathophysiologic processes. Obesity, like Diabetes is also never "cured," although a patient's body mass index (BMI) can be under excellent control. Patients still have the disease of obesity, even though they no longer meet the definition of obesity due to metabolic abnormalities. Obesity carries substantial adverse health risks - diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure and respiratory diseases.

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY:

Common Myth:

a. Weight loss is as simple as balancing the calories input and output, unfortunately, this is incorrect.

b. Weight loss is more than just a diet, this is correct

The central nervous system regulates a person’s weight, with many variables in play. Just because a person eats lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables doesn’t necessarily mean they will have a lean body. Physical activity alone, meanwhile does more to help patients maintain weight than to lose it. Sleep habits, sleep quality and duration can affect the body’s weight regulation. There are medications that cause weight gain and might be also interfering with your sleep.

KNOW YOUR RISKS:

Factors that may contribute to weight gain among adults and youth include genes, eating habits, physical inactivity, TV, computer, phone, and other screen time, sleep habits, medical conditions or medications, and where and how people live, including their access to healthy foods and safe places to be active.

a. External Factors-- Hyperactivity to environmental food cues, Delayed satiety, Disordered eating

b. Internal Factors-- Gut microbiota can decrease energy expenditure, Thermogenesis ,Physical disabilities

c. Combination of Factors – Genetics, Epigenetics, Age related changes – menopause, Mood disturbances – depression/anxiety

d. Factors that increase intake-- Environmental and chemical toxins, Sedentary time, Labor saving devices

e. Increase Intake and decrease expenditures-- Stress, weight cycling, maternal/paternal obesity – 50-85% likelihood even when optimal behaviors adopted

FOUR PILLARS OF TREATMENT:

Treatment for obesity usually takes a graduated approach Lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) ---pharmacotherapy ---metabolic and or bariatric surgery

@ Doctor for Life, we use strategies that lower energy density that are flexible and can be applied to a multiple dietary patterns to met our patients’ individual energy needs, taste preferences, and cultural background

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