Causes of obesity in the UK

It is a situation that includes a heavy accumulation of fat on the body. When someone becomes obese, the risk of diseases and damage to the health increases rapidly. Heart disease and diabetes are problems especially.

Sometimes the fat is distributed equally on all arts of the body, bur sometimes, it is concentrated into area such as the stomach, hips or thighs.

About one in every four men in the UK is obese and one in every three women.

The Department of Health stated that if the trend continues, there will be about 6.6 million men and 6 million obese women in the UK by the end of the year.

It is also a problem for children.

According to the most recent statistics, 10 percent of boys are obese and 18 percent of girls are obese as well.

Problems of obesity

There are many problems that can be caused by being extremely overweight, both physical and psychological. It not only damages the health, but also the self-esteem and causes anxiety and depression.

Some common physical impairments of obesity include difficulty breathing, walking or running, increased sweating, pain in the knees and back, acne and gallstones.

People who are obese also have problems with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, harden arteries and a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Causes of obesity

In some cases, obesity can be a hereditary problem. Genetics play a role in determining the appetite and at which rate fat is burned and stored.

However, the main causes of obesity are overeating, eating irregularly, and a lack of physical activities on a daily basis.

Medicine such as antidepressants, corticosteroids, and oral contraceptives can also cause people to gain weight.

Treatment

When obesity is very serious the doctor could recommend medication, but usually, changes in the diet and in exercise routines will be recommended first.

There are two medicines that are commonly used for weight loss – orlistat and sibutramine.

Even when a person is taking these drugs, they will have to follow a very strict low-calorie diet and start an exercise plan as well.

If the person loses five percent of their body weight in three months, then the medications will be able to continue, but it not, then there will have to be another plan for getting rid of the extra pounds.