3 Myths about obesity we believe to be true

3 Myths about obesity we believe to be true

Obesity is classified as a medical condition or disease by the Obesity Medical Association (OMA). But unfortunately, many prefer to think of it as a lifestyle choice.

Obesity is “a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and treatable multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease, wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences.”

This is why it becomes crucial to debunk the myths surrounding this disorder.

Let’s take a brief look at what makes obesity a disease:

• Causes - Genetics, diet, environment, exposure to toxins, medications, etc.
• Risk factors - Age, sleep, stress, smoking, pregnancy, genetics, social and economic factors
• Symptoms - Excess weight gain, poor heart health and increased blood sugar levels
• Impact on health - Increases risk of cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc.
• Treatment - With a healthy diet & exercise, medicines, surgery and counselling.