Obesity Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is obesity?
- the condition in which excess fat accumulates in the body
When is one considered obese?
- when one’s weight is 20% more than their recommended weight
What are the risks and health conditions associated with obesity?
- diabetes type 2
- hypertension
- cardiovascular disease
- strokes
- sleep apnea/ snoring/ shortness of breath
- arthritis/ joint pain/ bone pain
- poor wound healing
- dental cavities
- some cancers
- infertility
How does obesity cause hypertension?
- makes it more difficult for blood to pump through the heart
- increasing the risk of hypertension
- poor food choices: salty & processed foods
How does obesity cause cardiovascular disease?
- places strain on the heart
- due to excess weight, poor diet, cholesterol, sugar, refined carbohydrates
How does obesity affect wound healing?
- skin becomes thin and tears
- hygiene
- sores
What cancers can be caused by obesity?
- breast
- prostate
- womb
- bowel
- kidney
How does obesity cause financial problems in the workplace? What effect does this have?
- associated with healthcare costs that average 40% above others
- significant financial burden
- miss more days of work
- cost employers more in medical and disability claims & workers compensation claims
What are the financial implications of obesity?
- medical aid & life insurance premiums
- medical costs (obesity diseases)
- reduced productivity at work
- absenteeism
- benefit payments (government grants, e.g. disability)
- social care costs
- premature mortality
- transport costs
- sugar tax
What are the effects of obesity on the wellbeing of children? What financial effects does this cause?
- may not want to go to school
- may drop out
- increased absenteeism
- affects their education
- impacts on the human capital of a country
- less educated = productive = less jobs available
What are the causes of obesity?
- energy dense, nutrient poor food
- convenience/fast foods
- excessive portion sizes
- struggle to lose weight after pregnancy
- genetic predisposition
- sedentary lifestyle
- parents pass on poor eating habits to children
- antidepressants, epilepsy medication, birth control
- social class
- lack of education
- expensive to eat healthily
What are some solutions to combat obesity?
- education on healthy food/ cooking methods
- outdoor gyms
- parents leading by example
- physical education programmes in school
- limit screen time
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index: body mass in relation to height
What is the equation to calculate BMI?
- BMI = weight (kg) / height (m2)
What BMI is classified underweight?
less than 18,5
What BMI is classified as normal?
between 18,5 and 24,9
What BMI is classified as overweight?
- 25 - 29,9
What BMI is classified as obesity, class 1
30 - 34,9
What BMI is classified as obesity, class 2?
- 35 - 39,9
What BMI is classified as extreme obesity, class 3?
40 or more
What are some nutritional treatments for obesity?
- dietician/therapist to establish relationship with food
- low kilojoule diet
- fruit and vegetables
- low GI (feel fuller, release glucose slowly, aids weight loss)
- avoid alcohol
- avoid sugar rich foods, junk/convenience
- increase water intake
- soluble fibre (feel fuller)
- healthy foods
- limit salt and processed foods
- use healthy cooking methods
- eat more white meat, lean red meat, and fish
What are some behavioural/habitual treatments for obesity?
- read food labels
- increased physical activity
- have set meal times
- eat smaller portions
- be aware of hidden fats
- prolong meals
- eat sitting down
- leave the table as soon as the meal ends
- postpone a snack
- eat breakfast
- don’t skip meals
Why shouldn’t obese people skip meals?
- sets off a series of metabolic miscues
- can result in abdominal weight gain
- can result in tiredness
- miss out on essential nutrients
What should a good weight reducing diet do?
- provide less energy than is needed to maintain body weight
- supply adequate amounts of all nutrients
- be acceptable, affordable and palatable
