Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle or water, as well as from having too much fat.

Both terms mean that a person’s weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for his/her height.
The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

Obesity can be caused by:

• Eating more food than your body can use
• Not getting enough exercise
• Other reasons include medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid, menopause or certain medications.

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

For children, age needs to be considered when defining overweight and obesity, for adults, WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows:

• Overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25; and
• Obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30.

Raised BMI is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases such as:

• cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), which were the leading cause of death in 2012;
• diabetes;
• musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints);
• some cancers.

Preventing Obesity in Infants
The longer babies are breastfed, the less likely they are to become overweight as they grow older. Breastfed babies are 15-25% less likely to become overweight. For those who are breastfed for six months or longer, the likelihood is 20- 40% less.

Preventing Obesity in Children and Adolescents
Young people generally become overweight or obese because they don’t get enough physical activity in combination with poor eating habits. Genetics and lifestyle also contribute to a child’s weight status.
There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent overweight and obesity during childhood and adolescence:

• • Gradually work to change family eating habits and activity levels rather than focusing on weight
  • Be a role model. Parents who eat healthy foods and are physically activity set an example that increases the likelihood their children will do the same.
  • Encourage physical activity. Children should have an hour of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Reduce time in front of the TV and computer
  • Encourage children to eat only when hungry, and to eat slowly.
  • Avoid using food as a reward or withholding food as a punishment.
  • Keep the refrigerator stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables instead of soft drinks and snacks high in sugar and fat.
  • Serve at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Encourage children to drink water rather than beverages with added sugar, such as soft drinks, sports drinks and fruit juice drinks.

Preventing Obesity in Adults
Many of the strategies that produce successful weight loss and maintenance will help prevent obesity. Improving your eating habits and increasing physical activity play a vital role in preventing obesity. Things you can do include:

• • • Eat 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
    • Choose whole grain foods such as brown rice and whole wheat bread. Avoid highly processed foods made with refined white sugar, flour and saturated fat.
    • Weigh and measure food to gain an understanding of portion sizes.
    • Weigh yourself regularly.
    • Avoid foods that are high in “energy density” or that have a lot of calories in a small amount of food.
    • Accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity activity on most, or preferably, all days of the week.
    • Make opportunities during the day for even just 10 or 15 minutes of some calorie-burning activity, such as walking around the block or up and down a few flights of stairs at work. Again, every little bit helps.

Visit our Retail Outlets to explore the wide range of products brought in from renowned International brands. Options are available at our pharmacies to help in weight loss, aid the digestive function, and to treat underlying health conditions that contribute to Obesity.