Obesity’s Meaning, Effects and the Healthiest Diets in Light of Science

Obesity means excessive accumulated body fat. Body mass index identifies it, and many diseases are associated with obesity. It has reached unacceptable levels worldwide, with no slowdown expected soon. Resulting from consuming more energy than expended, it is becoming the leading global cause of death. The World Health Organization says more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight or have obesity.

Obesity shortens life, contributes to type 2 diabetes, increases cardiovascular risk and risks of at least 13 cancers, triggers kidney disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and other conditions. Losing excess weight reduces risks and aids recovery.

Obesity Has Become a Global Epidemic

How Can We Address Obesity, Involving Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Factors?

Almost monthly, a new diet appears, mostly restrictive and impossible long-term. Easy, scientifically proven healthy diets receive insufficient attention. Authors insist theirs is best and dismiss all others, with near-sporting fanaticism. Nutrition directly concerns us and our families and is far beyond team loyalty. Is reaching a healthy diet really so complex?

All scientifically proven healthy diets share lower carbohydrates, low fat and vegetable-rich eating. The scientifically established top 2, DASH and Mediterranean, are sound choices for obesity management, associated risks and long-term weight loss.

The Mediterranean diet and its reduced-salt counterpart, the DASH diet , have scientifically demonstrated reductions in cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia risk (such as Alzheimer's). A temporary diet alone is insufficient: activity, strong social ties and integration of cancer and heart screening into life also matter.

Treatment includes suitable diet, medications (mostly diabetes-related) and bariatric surgery. Long-term control remains difficult, with regain after stopping treatment. Supplements or herbal products claiming weight loss, despite persistent marketing, are no more than deception.

Aesthetic Goals Often Conflict Unrealistically with Diet and Exercise in Practice.

Weight loss of 5-10% offers important health benefits without necessarily achieving desired appearance. Do not let aesthetic goals undermine motivation; patience and determination help make healthy eating a lifestyle.

A study published in March 2018 reviewed evidence on exercise programs, obesity drugs, surgery and diets. Screening over 400 studies, it found highly variable effects across all approaches.

Individual methods work well for some and poorly for others. Genetic and other information is currently insufficient to predict which will work for a person, illustrating obesity's complexity.

Surgery was found to offer greater, longer-lasting loss than other options, particularly in severe obesity.

Note: Genetic tests claiming to identify your best diet and foods to avoid are also marketed. These nutrition tests are commercial, with conflicting results.

• A different perspective on nutrition: DNA-based diets & Nutrigenomics

Claims have also spread that high blood fats and excess weight do not threaten health. Healthy obesity (medically healthy obesity) may not cause problems in the short term, particularly in children and adolescents. Long-term obesity and high triglycerides and cholesterol nevertheless unquestionably burden the body and cause many problems, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. Effective treatment and prevention are therefore very important.

Related Topic:

• Every extra kilo steals from life – Results from 195 countries in a 25-year obesity study

In conclusion, obesity creates serious risks requiring action. Healthy living can prevent it. Controllable factors such as eating behavior, a healthy diet and regular exercise are sufficient to reach a healthy weight.

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