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Understanding The Importance Of World Obesity Day

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a complex chronic disease characterized by an excessive amount of body fat and it may lead to several health complications. It is more than just about your appearance because it is a medical problem. Obesity risk factors can be inherited, physiological and environmental factors may be responsible for it, combined with an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Some other causes of obesity may include, not getting enough sleep, post pregnancy, PCOS– which is a condition that causes an imbalance in female reproductive hormones, hypothyroidism, some medications, stress and osteoarthritis.   

Trying to lose weight may not always be easy for everyone. However, even if you lose a modest amount of body weight it can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. It is important to make a few diet and lifestyle changes to reduce body weight, medications may be prescribed by a healthcare professional and other weight-loss surgical procedures can also help you achieve a healthy weight.

How to tell if you are obese?

BMI is used to help you understand whether a person is obese, overweight or normal. It is a numerical value of your weight to your height. 

To understand the range of BMI, the following can be used as a guide:

How to measure your BMI

Using the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Because height is commonly measured in centimetres, divide height in centimetres by 100 to obtain height in meters.

Formula to calculate BMI:

Before approaching any kind of treatment, doctors measure a person’s waist circumference. Several methods to measure body fat include screening tests, blood tests, liver function tests, thyroid tests, diabetes tests and ECG or EKG.

Health problems related to obesity

Obesity means excess body fat and leads to muscles putting strain on your bones and internal organs. It increases inflammation which is a risk factor for cancer. Here are a few health complications that may be caused due to obesity and some can even be life-threatening if not treated:

Can you prevent obesity?

To reduce the risk of obesity one must understand and address the root cause of it. It has become extremely important that each and everyone one of us makes healthier food choices and indulge in activities that will help turn the tide on obesity. Some tips to reduce the chances of obesity:

Facts about obesity

World Obesity Day 2024: Let’s Talk About Obesity And…

World Obesity Day, observed on 4 March, created by World Obesity Day (WOD) reinforces the need to talk about obesity as a serious disease affecting a large part of the world population. It may happen to anyone and the only way we can make progress is by working together. This year the theme for this day has been set keeping in mind the fact that it’s time to talk about the dangers associated with obesity and its effects on different aspects of health. Education and awareness are needed, to end the stigma around obesity and show care. So let’s join hands for a healthier future.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

Ref

  1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight#:~:text=For%20adults%2C%20WHO%20defines%20overweight,than%20or%20equal%20to%2030.
  2. https://www.who.int/news/item/01-03-2024-one-in-eight-people-are-now-living-with-obesity
  3. https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(23)02750-2.pdf
  4. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(23)00068-9/fulltext
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Phone Time And Overall Health – What’s The Optimal Screen Time?

As surviving with sanity becomes more and more challenging in the recent world, people are opting for the easy way out to stay occupied indoors. Spending lots of time watching tv or using phones is causing irreversible negative effects. The pandemic has pushed us into confinement and more than ever we feel the need and dependency on virtual life. Screen time is the total time spent per day in viewing screens such as mobile phones, TV, computer, tablet or any hand-held or visual device. 

It is time to ask the question, ”what is the ideal amount of screen time?” Let us find answers to what should an average screen time per day be for children and adults.

The negative effects of prolonged screen time are as follows:

1. Obesity

When you are looking at a screen, you usually remain in a particular position for an extended period of time. This means you have restricted movement and that can increase your risk of obesity. It can further cause chronic issues like heart disease. Being in front of a screen for a long time will likely lead to mindless snacking and usually make adults and children, obese.

2. Insomnia

Prolonged screen time evidently has a negative effect on your sleep. This applies to both children and adults. The blue light emitted by the screens can significantly lower the melatonin levels, a hormone that regulates when you sleep and wake up and this will disrupt your entire sleep cycle. 

3. Eye problems

One of the first and noticeable effects of too much screen time is impaired vision. The blue light can prove to be dangerous and eye strain often leads to dry eyes, blurry vision, irritation and burning sensations. 

4. Back and neck issues

If you continue to look at your phone, tablet or a tv screen for a really long time, it will put a lot of strain on your neck muscles and your spine. You will experience pain after sitting in a slumped posture for too long. This is common and likely results in frequent headaches and backaches. To avoid these, reducing screen time is a must.

5. Impact on behaviour and mental wellbeing

Excessive screen time can be addictive and has a negative impact on the mental health and behaviour of a person.

Recommended screen time Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends.
2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling.
5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework. more than 17 years max 3- 4 hrs per day

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Understanding how to reduce screen time for a healthy life.

Excess screen time may slow language development in children and make it hard for your child to sleep at night. Limiting screen time is very essential.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Conclusion:

As we talk about the negatives of screen time, you must remember that it is not entirely a negative element. If you maintain the ideal screen time for yourself and train your children accordingly, you can derive several benefits from digital media. It helps you learn and stay connected with friends and relatives. It is okay to include screen time as a part of your daily activities but do not make it the only activity and increase dependency on it.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Obesity And Heart Disease: Risk Factors For COVID-19

COVID-19 caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus has gripped the entire world and many COVID-19 deaths have been reported. Globally, every nation is fighting the pandemic on a war footing. The COVID-19 cases in India are rising at a faster rate during the second wave of COVID-19. The infection manifests through several symptoms and debilitating after-effects. Fatigue is the most common symptom and an after-effect experienced by most COVID-19 patients post-recovery.  

Several studies have shown a strong relationship between people with obesity, heart health and COVID-19. Obese people are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, they face a wide range of complications arising from the infections due to their excess weight. Similarly, people with poor heart health are more susceptible to COVID -19. This disease affects heart health, leading to inflammation and even a heart attack.

The link between COVID-19 and obesity

The prevalence of people with obesity is almost 20% in most countries around the globe. Researchers have reported that people who are obese are thrice more likely to be hospitalised due to the COVID-19 infection than patients with normal weight. Here are a few points that help establish a link between obesity and COVID-19.

When the infection is transmitting at higher rates during the second wave, more people with obesity are being affected. However, only a few of them required invasive ventilation and a few deaths have been reported.

The link between COVID-19 and heart health

Researchers have suggested a significant relationship between heart health and COVID-19 infection. Here are a few findings:

Tips for maintaining good physical health

During recent times of pandemic, it is essential to follow good health practices.  People with obesity and comorbidities need to be more cautious to avoid contracting the infection. Here are a few tips for a healthy routine:

Also Read: Cherry Tomatoes: Unveiling the Nutritional Benefits and Culinary Uses

Conclusion

With the high transmission rate of the COVID -19 infection, you need to be careful and follow every safety precaution to avoid infection. Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others. You are highly susceptible to the COVID-19 infection if you have heart disease, obesity or other comorbidities. In such cases, you need to be very cautious. It is best to talk to your doctor regarding the necessary safety precautions.

Get enough sleep, stay active and eat healthy food. Never miss your medications and keep your comorbidities under control. Discuss with your doctor regarding vaccination. Get your vaccine when your turn comes. Do not forget to follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquettes when you step outside for immunization in a public place.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

World Obesity Day – How To Stay Committed To Weight Loss Goals?

11th October is World Obesity Day when health care specialists will spread awareness about the benefits of weight loss and many people heed this call to action and chalk up a weight loss plan. But losing weight is difficult. Many people stick to their plans for the first few months and then the enthusiasm gradually starts to fizzle out. Unsuccessful attempts at committing to weight loss have happened to many of us. But it is possible to dedicate yourself to your weight loss regime and once you do that you will reach your target weight in no time.

Why staying committed to weight loss is difficult?

The primary reason people ditch the routine that can make them lose weight is that weight loss is a long, laborious and painful process. When you embark on this new journey, your body will encounter many challenges and changes. Exercise can make your muscles sore and your new super healthy diet can make you feel both hungry and miserable and many people cannot put up with these changes and revert to their old routines soon.

Another reason why people give up is that they do not see the desired results as fast as they want and thirdly, some are too busy to find time for workouts. Their healthy routines go for a toss when they feel that they can’t manage time.

So how will you make yourself commit to your weight loss program?

To commit yourself fully, you need to change your outlook towards weight loss.

1.Understand why you started this journey for staying committed to weight loss

Ask yourself if the reason you backed out of your weight loss plan holds up to scrutiny. If you think it was really taxing on your body, then you have to explain to yourself that any new routine feels that way till you acclimatise with it. When you start exercising for the first time, your muscles produce lactic acid which makes your body ache. But in a few weeks when your body starts to get stronger, it will make the soreness subside.

You can also consider requesting your trainer (if you have one) to suggest another regime for you, one that is less painful.

As for not getting speedy results, you need to know that weight loss cannot be rushed. In the early phase, you will lose the kilos rapidly but after a point, it will slow down- that is the natural course. Losing weight the healthy way, without causing damage to your body requires patience and the wait is worth it.

And if you feel that you are too busy for weight loss, then you are deceiving yourself. Excess weight can ruin your health by inviting a horde of illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, kidney damage, heart disorders, etc. That is why you have to find time for exercise because if your health fails you, nothing else will matter.

2. Your diet doesn’t have to be bland 

Another way you can make yourself stick to your weight loss resolution is by spicing up your diet. A healthy diet does not translate to a boring diet. Disguise the blandness with aromatic spices and herbs. Look up recipes online that will help you introduce a new twist to your dull meals. But most importantly, allow yourself a cheat day every week. On this day you can indulge your food cravings (but within reasonable limits). A cheat day ensures you do not slip into an insipid food-induced depression.

Also Read: Best Fruits for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Guide

3. Positive affirmation is vital for staying committed to weight loss

You have to step into the right mindset if you want to achieve your goal. Don’t look at the process as a mammoth task. Instead, take it one day at a time. Focus on getting through your gym session and new diet-based meals for the day and consider that a victory. Tell yourself, ”Yes I can do it” – self-affirmation works like magic and if you have faith in yourself, you will succeed.

4.Announce your plan to the world 

Tell all your friends and family about your newfound resolve to lose weight. This way you are creating what psychologists call accountability. Everyone will be expecting you to zealously honour your weight loss plan and if you give up, you will end up embarrassing yourself when people keep asking you why you are no longer going for a run or to the gym or why you are binging on sweets. In a way, you will be counting on peer pressure to drive you.

5. Be hard on yourself

Tell yourself, ”No more excuses, no more slacking off”. You will at all costs make your body go through at least half an hour’s worth of physical activity no matter how late it is, how tired you are or how many tasks are piling up. Stick to your diet no matter how miserable you are or even if you are eating out with your friends. There will be no room for ‘exceptions’ in your life.

Staying committed to weight loss can be made possible with the tips we have suggested. So stay fit, stay healthy!

Also Read: Diet Or Exercise – Which One Should I Focus On For A Healthy Weight Loss?

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

How Does Obesity Hurt Your Brain?

When you ponder over the health hazards associated with obesity, the first thing that pops into your mind is the damage that it can do to your heart. You must have read that obesity raises blood pressure and can usher in a gamut of cardiac problems. You probably also know about how excess weight impacts your liver and pancreas. But, did you know that even your brain isn’t spared? Read on to know more.

Few Ways In Which Obesity Can Affect Your Brain:

 1. It Makes you Overeat –

Scientists found that the prefrontal cortex of people who are obese is smaller than leaner people. This means obese people have less self-control capacity for complex thinking and planning. So naturally, they tend to overeat because their neurons that inhibit over-eating are dulled. And this leads to even more weight gain that further hobbles their brain. This is essentially is a vicious circle that is difficult to escape.

Moreover, the more sweet and sugary foods you eat, the more de-sensitized your brain becomes. This means your brain will crave more desserts than it did before to feel satiated. And this goes on, the more weight you put on, the more you will long for foods that will fatten you further.

In recent research, excess weight has been shown to: Reduce blood flow to the brain. In a 2020 study involving brain scans of more than 17,000 people, researchers found that as weight went up, blood flow in the brain went down. Slower blood flow in the brain has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

 2. Immunity Takes a Beating –

Studies found that obesity harms your immunity. When your immunity is down and out, inflammation occurs. Inflammation not only causes heart ailments but it has been discovered that it might also be harmful to your brain. 

Moreover, your brain plays an important role in boosting your immunity. If your brain has already been affected by inflammation, then it will not be able to strengthen your immune system making you even more vulnerable.

Read More: 7 Ways to Boost Immunity

 3. Dementia becomes More Likely –

There is a direct relation between belly fat and declining brain volume. And this is especially true for plump middle-aged people. 

Belly fat or visceral fat releases a different kind of hormones than regular fats and this might be harmful to your brain. 

When your brain volume decreases, it affects your cognitive abilities such as recollection, learning, speech and accumulation of data. So it might make you more forgetful and decrease your attention span. If this continues unabated, it could lead to dementia.

Also Read: What Causes Hip Dips: A Scientific Approach to Understanding Body Shape

 4. You Can’t Make Smart Decisions –

Weight fluctuation impacts the brain. People who lose weight through a strict diet may see the kilos inching back in when they ease up on their diet. In an experiment mice were put through a similar weight loss and weight gain procedure, scientists discovered that it affects their decision-making capacity.

So, this means that if you put on weight after losing them and you find yourself in a fix, you might not be able to take astute decisions.

Obesity is not just a killer, it will affect your lifestyle as well. Your brain needs to be in prime working order for you to live a meaningful life. So, hit the gym and stick to a healthy diet.

Also Read: 8 Exercises That Help With Weight Loss

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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