The Stages Of Weight Gain And The Treatment For Obesity

Obesity is one of the common critical conditions in the world which is a result of excess body fat. If your weight starts to increase abnormally, you need to get checked immediately since it will eventually lead to overweight and obesity.

To understand obesity, it is important to understand the different stages of weight gain. This will help you to seek treatment for obesity during the right time.

Table Of Content

• What is Obesity?
• Measuring Obesity
• Symptoms of Obesity
• Preventing Obesity at Home
• Home Treatment for Obesity
• Easy Workouts for Battling against Obesity
• Ayurvedic Obesity Treatment

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition in which a person puts on excess body fat affecting his/her health negatively. A person suffering from this condition always finds it difficult to shed body fat. When the person’s BMI is 30 or more than 30, s/he is classified as being obese.

Obesity should be taken care of at the early stages since this condition develops hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and other disorders. Also, the risks associated with this condition can be a stroke, osteoarthritis, endometrial cancer, and gallbladder cancer.

Generally, most of the people remain unaware of the condition and do not opt for obesity treatment and management.[1]

Measuring Obesity

Waist circumference and BMI are two common ways to measure total body fat. Clinicians use these two indicators as a diagnostic tool for undertaking the right way of treatment for obesity.

1. Waist Circumference

This is not a popular method for measuring the condition. However, the measurement refers to morbid obesity and obesity in individuals. Take a tape measure and wrap it around the lower part of the rib cage and above the hip bone.

Female individuals should undertake obesity treatment if the waist circumference is more than 35 inches and men should seek help if it is greater than 40 inches.[2]

2. Body Mass Index

The body mass index is calculated using a person’s height in meters squared and weight in kg. When an individual’s BMI is greater than 30, the person should seek treatment for obesity. Both male and female individuals are classified under one BMI measurement.[3]

3. Stages of Weight Gain and Obesity

Obesity does not happen overnight. There are different stages of weight gain. The process starts gradually and surpasses the overweight range. When the condition is not reversed at this stage, then it leads to obesity.

While weight gain may be the indicator of obesity, BMI is the ultimate way to find out if you are obese or not. And height is one of the important factors along with weight. It plays a major role in determining one’s weight parameters.  

• Underweight: A BMI below <18.5
• Healthy/Normal weight: A BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: A BMI between 25 and 29.9
• Obese: BMI >30

Take a look at the below table to understand when it is necessary to go for the treatment for obesity disease.

Possible’s weight chart

To prevent the development of lifestyle-related diseases, it is important that men and women maintain their ideal weight. Below we have listed the ideal weight of men and women with respect to their height.

Other Side of BMI

BMI measurement does not function effectively for every person but it figures out the whole measurement of body fat.

If a muscular individual has high BMI due to the muscle mass, the person does not essentially have to be overweight. Body mass index may overlook body fat for the people with huge muscle mass and older people are generally the victim of this.

It is a good diagnostic tool to identify if a person requires treatment for obesity or not. However, BMI calculations are alone not enough for determining that treatment.

The healthcare provider considers a person’s waist size, family medical history, skinfold thickness and assessment of regular diet.

Likewise, a person’s body weight is determined by muscles, bones and fat.

One should focus on losing the excess fat and follow a diet and exercise regime that supports the muscles.

Below you can find the percentages that determine body fat with respect to age and gender.

The body fat per cent determines if the person has a healthy body or is overweight/obese.

Measuring Child Obesity

If a child’s BMI is at or over the 95th percentile, the child or teen should follow the treatment for obesity. However, if the child’s BMI ranges between the 85th percentile and 95th percentile, the child is only overweight.

If a 10-year old kid is 56” tall and weighs 46 kg, his BMI should be 22.9kg/m2. The boy is considerably put in the obese category for having a BMI of 95th percentile.[4]

Weight Status   

• Obese: 95th percentile or more
• Overweight: 85th percentile – 95th percentile
• Normal weight: 5th percentile – 85th percentile
• Underweight: Less than the 5th percentile

Symptoms of Obesity

Apart from the rapid weight gain, there are other symptoms such as,[5]

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Breathing Disorder
• Gallbladder Disease
• High Cholesterol  
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Joint Disease
• Stroke

Preventing Obesity at Home

In order to prevent obesity, you need to keep yourself away from harmful and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Take a look at following habits that you should avoid at any cost.

1. Binging on refined carbs

Refined carbs contain no fibre or beneficial nutrient. The refining procedure does not leave digested carbs. Additionally, it spikes up the obesity risk to a high level.

White bread, breakfast cereals, pastries, white rice, sweets, pasta, and white flour are common examples of refined carbs that every person uses on a daily basis.

2. Relying on liquid calories

The obesity prevention guidelines indicate that you should limit the intake of store-bought fruit juices, energy drinks, and sugar-loaded soft drinks.

As these drinks are unhealthy in every way, they increase the risk of obesity. It appears that 60% of obese children consume a high amount of sugary beverages.[6]

3. Do not stuff your mouth

If you chew your food too quickly, you end up consuming large portions of food. This fails to give your body a signal that you are already full. Therefore, fast eaters go through the consequences of obesity.

While chewing properly, the net calorie intake is low. Hence, you can influence the production of weight loss hormones in a positive way.

It is observed that the treatment for obesity can start at home only if a person takes adequate prevention measures beforehand.[7]

If you are willing to stay fit always, check your weight and use BMI calculator regularly. Once you notice the BMI going upside, binge on a healthy diet and long workout sessions.

Drinking plenty of water is also helpful but do not think twice for taking professional help.[8]

Home Treatment for Obesity

Gaining weight has always been easier than reducing the excessive body fat but you can get rid of extra flab at home.

In fact, the treatment for obesity can be found in your kitchen. Below we have listed some superfoods that can help you fight obesity.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Take 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and honey and mix well in warm water. Drink two times per day.

This is an effective home remedy because apple cider vinegar contains a high level of acetic acid. Not only does it help in weight loss, but also apple cider is great for reducing inflammation.[9]

2. Black Pepper

Take 1 tsp of black pepper powder and add it to your salad or tea.

Black pepper powder accelerates weight loss albeit it having a pungent taste. The ingredient has lipid-reducing activities which keep you healthy.[10]

4. Cranberry Juice

Make a glass of fresh and unsweetened cranberry juice and drink it twice every day. It is better to take the juice before each meal.

For obesity treatment, cranberry juice is beneficial for supplying a high amount of antioxidants in your body. The anti-oxidants can get rid of toxins and increase the rate of metabolism quickly.[11]

5. Ginger

In a glass of hot water, add 1 tsp of grated ginger. Let it sit for 7 minutes. Add honey to the solution and mix well. You can add the ginger in everyday tea and drink three times a day.

Found in every Indian kitchen, ginger is good for the treatment for obesity in adults and it reduces hunger pangs. The ingredient can burn fat due to the thermogenesis activity.[12]

6. Coconut Oil

You can use coconut oil for the treatment for obesity in two ways. Take one tbsp of coconut oil and drizzle it on your salad or dish. If you consume it for two or three times per day, you can get an effective result from this treatment of obesity.

The medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil works great for shedding belly fat. Influencing your metabolism, it is one of the easiest natural ways to reduce body weight.[13]

Easy workouts for battling against obesity

Indulging in physical exercises is the best treatment for obesity. Exercise increases mobility and strength. If you are new to exercising, you can begin my walking then gradually challenge yourself.

Strength training works great for weight loss. You can start weightlifting at home or join a strength training program. Mind-body exercises including yoga and meditation will improve postures and calm your mind.[13]

Ayurvedic treatment for obesity

For the obesity treatment, Ayurveda suggests getting rid of potato and rice.

Other than these food items, always avoid food products with a high amount of carbohydrates. Also, stay away from processed foods, purified butter, chocolate, and whole-milk yoghurt.

Addition of green vegetables in your daily diet is also recommended.

Some of the treatments for obesity include,

• Take mint tea and add a few simple spices to it.
• Drumsticks are effective in the treatment of obesity.
  Yoga poses like Shalabasana, bhujangasana, dhanurasana, vakrasana and trikonasana can help you get back in shape quickly.
• Take an herbal steam bath for controlling the compounded body fat.
• Dry massage along with paste and herbal powder is also effective for mobilising the accumulated fat.
• Panchakarma therapies are also beneficial for people dealing with obesity.[14]

FAQ’s

Q. What is BMI?  

A. BMI is a tool used for measuring body size and it detects whether a person needs treatment for obesity. Weight and height are two prime factors to measure body fat. If your BMI is at or over 30, you should seek medical help.

Q. What is the difference between obesity and overweight?

A. Weight gaining is often the beginning of becoming overweight but it does not necessarily make a person obese. As previously said, obesity treatment and prevention must be taken only if the person’s BMI is 30 or higher than 30.

Q. Is it safe to seek Ayurvedic help for obesity?

A. Yes, Ayurveda is safe. It is an ancient healthcare practice which uses Ayurvedic medicine, meditation, and diet for helping obese people during their critical time.