FAQs on Obesity And Metabolic Surgery

Q- What is Obesity?

Ans- Obesity is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal growth of fatty tissue due to enlargement in the size of fat cells or an increase in the number of fat cells or both. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the world. About 2.8 million adults die each year because of being overweight or obese. Moreover, 44% cases of diabetes, 23% cases of Ischemic Heart Disease and 7% to 41% of some cancers can be attributed to over-weight and obesity.

Q- How do I find out if I am obese?

Ans- Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most reliable indicator for determining if an individual is obese or not. Other commonly used indicators are Waist Circumference, and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR). Every individual should attempt to know these parameters for themselves and aim to keep them in the healthy range.

The easiest way to find out if your weight is within normal range or not is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is expressed as an individual’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (Kg/m2).

BMI = Weight in Kg/ Height in meters2 (Wt. in Kg divided by square of height in meters)

According to WHO, a Body Mass Index of 18.5-24.99 is normal and a BMI more than or equal to 25 (23.0 for Indians) means a person is overweight.

·         BMI: 25.0-29.9 (Pre-Obese or Overweight)

·         BMI: 30.0-34.9 (Obese Class I)

·         BMI: 35.0-39.9 (Obese Class II)

·         BMI: =40.0 (Obese Class III)

Since Indians have a higher percentage of body fat and a higher tendency to have the “riskier” abdominal fat (fat around the waist), obesity starts at a lower BMI in Indians.

·         BMI: 23.0 – 27.5 (Pre-Obese or Overweight)

·         BMI: 27.5-32.5 (Obese Class 1)

·         BMI: 32.5 – 37.5 (Obese Class II)

·         BMI: =37.5 (Obese Class III)

People with distribution of fat predominantly in the abdomen (belly fat) are at higher risk of health hazards than people in whom fat is evenly distributed around the body’s periphery. Sufficient evidence suggests that abdominal obesity plays a big role in the development of diabetes and heart disease.

Waist Circumference and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR):

Men, whose waist circumference is greater than or equal to 94 cm (90 cm for Indians) and women with a waist circumference of greater than or equal to 80 cm, have a higher risk of metabolic complications. Risk is substantially increased for men with a waist circumference of more than 102 cm and women with a waist circumference of more than 88 cm. Your waistline is truly linked to your lifeline!

A Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) of > 0.9 in men and > 0.85 in women is indicative of significant abdominal fat accumulation and substantially increases the risk of metabolic complications.

Q- What Causes Obesity?

Ans- Obesity is caused by an imbalance between the calories consumed and calories spent. We consume calories in the form of food and drinks and then spend these calories on our day-to-day activities. All over the world, there has been an increase in the intake of calorie-dense food over the past few decades. At the same time, physical activity of people has decreased dramatically because of a sedentary life style, use of domestic appliances and domestic aids, and drastic change in modes of transportation leading to less expenditure of calories. Central heating and air-conditioning have also played a role.Surplus calories (intake minus expenditure) are stored in body as fat. Over a period of time, this leads to an increase in weight and we become overweight (pre-obese) and then obese.