Overweight is a chronic disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which can have adverse effects on health. When speaking about weight management we need to take in notice several factors, it is not as simple as just looking at a person's weight. It involves considering many things, like how your body is made up, your overall health, and your unique situation. Medical experts use different methods to measure the body and it's composition:
BMI (Body Mass Index): BMI is a common tool, but it's not the only one. If someone's BMI is 30 or higher, they're often considered obese. However, BMI doesn't consider muscle or where fat is in the body.
Waist Size: Having a big waist can also show that someone might have health issues linked to obesity. The exact waist size that's a concern can differ by gender and group of people.
Body Fat Percentage: Measuring how much fat someone has using special scans or measurements can give a more detailed picture of obesity. Having too much fat is a big part of obesity.
The reasons for weight problems can be different for each person. Understanding this wide range of influences on weight is really important because it helps us create good ways to help and take care of our bodies. Let's explore some of the main causes and risk factors that play a part in how our bodies feel and look:
Unhealthy diet: Eating foods high in calories, saturated fat, refined sugar, and processed foods can lead to weight gain.
Lack of physical activity: Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle are significant risk factors for this condition. Inactivity reduces calorie burn and contributes to weight gain.
Genetics: Genetic predisposition plays a role. If you have close relatives who are overweight, you may be at an increased risk.
Psychological factors: Emotions and mental health can play a role in overeating. Stress, depression, and anxiety are often associated with weight problems.
Medications: Some medications, such as steroids and certain antidepressants, can cause weight gain.
Socioeconomic factors: Economic disparities can limit access to healthy foods and opportunities for exercise, which can contribute to overweight.
Environmental factors: The environment in which a person lives can also influence their eating habits and activity levels. The availability of unhealthy foods and the lack of areas for physical activity can be challenges.
Hormonal problems: Some hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism, can contribute to gain easily weight.
Lack of sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to it.
Lifestyle changes: Major life transitions, such as marriage, pregnancy, divorce, or retirement, can lead to changes in routine and weight gain.
Overweight in Texas and USA
The prevalence of a higher BMI in the United States is notable across all age categories.In 2017-2018, 42.4% of adults were overweight. Prevalence was lowest among non-Hispanic Asian adults (17.4%) as compared to non-Hispanic black (49.6%), Hispanic (44.8%), and non-Hispanic white (42.2%) adults.
More particularly in the state of Texas, this condition is a major public health problem. According to data, 28.1% of adults in Texas have weight related problems. This suggests that one in every three adults in Texas suffers from this medical condition.
It is associated with an increased risk of developing a number of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. It is also associated with an increased risk of premature death.
Major problems related to overweight
It is linked to several metabolic changes that contribute to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). These include insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells, and the buildup of fats in tissues like the liver and muscles. These mechanisms interact in a complex way to raise blood sugar levels in obese individuals.
Uncontrolled high blood sugar is associated with serious complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, and erectile dysfunction. It can also increase the risk of infections and slow down wound healing.
What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?
The symptoms of hyperglycemia include:
Feeling thirsty
Feeling tired or weak
Urinating (peeing) often
Blurred vision
Natural Supplements for Weight Loss
There is a wide variety of weight loss supplements available. However, we've prepared a detailed list of supplements to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Spirulina
In addition to being highly nutritious, spirulina reduces hunger. It is widely available and can be consumed in a variety of forms, including tablets, shakes, and even powder.
L-Carnitine
This is one of the most popular and widely used supplements for weight loss in the fitness world. It allows fat to be burned more quickly during exercise and helps transform stored fats into an additional source of energy for workouts.
CLA
These natural pills block the transfer of fats and help eliminate them, preventing them from being stored. It works similarly to L-Carnitine, aiding in the use of fats as the primary energy source.
Garcinia Cambogia
This supplement is used to reduce appetite, helping you stick to your diet and improve fat metabolism.
Garlic in Pills
Garlic pills are not only used to avoid the effects of consuming garlic, such as bad breath or indigestion, but also as an option for weight loss. Garlic facilitates fat burning and regulates metabolism. Additionally, it has properties beneficial for our health, such as regulating blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and having antimicrobial properties.
Glucomannan
This is another supplement commonly seen in most gyms. It's a dietary and soluble fiber that aids in weight loss. One of its primary functions is the ability to curb hunger without adding extra calories. Additionally, it helps reduce cholesterol and balance sugar levels.
Green Tea
One of the best solutions for weight loss is herbs, specifically green tea. It's a natural stimulant that speeds up metabolism and contains properties that aid in weight loss, backed by scientific research. This is due to its high level of antioxidants and the increase in body temperature, which benefits reducing body fat.
Ginger
Ginger contains several medical qualities such as weigth managment and blood sugar control. It has been used as a natural treatment for ages due to its numerous benefits. One of its added benefits is that it is a high-fiber diet, so eating it helps improve digestion and even eliminates toxins that aren't needed by the body. This root lowers cholesterol levels and controls blood pressure.
Chromium
Chromium is a necessary element for humans and animals because it plays an important role in insulin metabolism as a glucose tolerance factor (GTF). A chromium deficit causes a decline in glucose metabolism due to poor insulin efficiency. Where can we find it? Some foods that can provide high concentrations of chromium in the blood are whole grains, broccoli, and beans.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Acetic acid is the major ingredient in ACV and is thought to be responsible for many of its health benefits. There are several evidence-based methods for utilizing ACV. Taking 2 teaspoons before night might help lower your fasting sugar levels in the morning. Even better, taking 1-2 tablespoons of ACV with meals helps lower the glycemic load of a carbohydrate-heavy diet. I usually advise patients to take ACV on its own before meals, or to incorporate it with salad dressings or teas.
Overweight and high blood sugar are two health conditions that are connected and need special attention because they can greatly affect your quality of life and increase the risk of serious problems. Preventing and managing obesity is a key way to lower the risk of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. While natural supplements might help in this process, it's important that you only use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
It's also important to remember that your genes, your surroundings, how you live, and other things can affect your chances of becoming obese or having high blood sugar. So, any plan to prevent or treat these conditions should be customized to fit your specific needs. Ultimately, educating people about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and eating a balanced diet is still the most important way to prevent obesity and high blood sugar in today's society.