Obesity is the biggest problem of our time. Overweight is observed in people of any age, while it has a negative effect on the functioning of the body, in particular on the work of the cardiovascular system. Prevention of obesity is necessary at any age, otherwise you can spoil your metabolism from childhood and suffer all your life with excess weight and many related diseases.
Causes of Obesity
There are two main reasons that contribute to the development of obesity:
- malnutrition in combination with an inactive lifestyle;
- the presence of endocrine diseases (diseases of the liver, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries).
The hereditary factor has a great influence. In adolescence, children often let their lives drift: lead a sedentary lifestyle, consume an excessive amount of junk food.
The abundance of fast foods, various carbonated drinks, sweets, spending free time at the computer contribute to the wrong daily routine and lifestyle of children. Such a pastime slows down the metabolism, promotes the development of pathologies in all body systems and provokes the appearance of excess weight in the child. 
Endocrine diseases affect the correct ratio of height and weight, but are much less likely to cause excess weight. Prevention of obesity in children and adults will prevent the deterioration of health and appearance.
What factors contribute to the appearance of excess weight
In the absence of a genetic predisposition and endocrine pathologies, the following factors cause obesity:
- lack of necessary physical activity;
- frequent stresses and strong feelings;
- malnutrition - eating disorders that lead to the development of bulimia, anorexia and other diseases;
- the use of a large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, foods with a high sugar content;
- violation of sleep patterns, in particular - lack of sleep;
- the use of drugs that affect the central nervous system, stimulating or inhibiting it.
In very rare cases, obesity can result from surgery (e.g., removal of the ovaries) or injuries (if the pituitary gland is damaged). Damage to tumors of the pituitary or adrenal cortex also provokes the appearance of excess weight. Preventing obesity from an early age will help to avoid health problems that occur when you are overweight.
How to calculate body mass index
Obesity is classified according to BMI. You can calculate this figure yourself. It is enough to know your weight and height.
It is necessary to divide body weight by height squared. For example, a woman has a weight of 55 kg with a height of 160 cm. The calculation will look like this:
55 kg: (1.6 x 1.6) = 21.48 - in this case, the weight ideally matches the patient’s height.
A BMI in excess of 25 indicates excess weight, but does not pose a health hazard. Prevention of obesity should begin as early as possible, and not when the BMI is already more than 25. When a person's body weight is just starting to increase, stopping this process is much easier than at any stage of obesity.
BMI decryption
After calculating your indicator of body mass index, you must determine whether it is a variant of the norm or not:
- if, when counting, a number less than 16 is obtained, this indicates a severe deficit in body weight;
- 16-18 - insufficient weight, most often all girls strive for this indicator;
- 18-25 - ideal weight for a healthy adult;
- 25-30 - the presence of excess weight, which is not harmful to the state of health, but outwardly significantly spoils the shape of the figure;
- more than 30 - the presence of obesity of various degrees, requiring medical intervention.
In the presence of excess weight, it is better to immediately change your lifestyle and restore optimal parameters. Otherwise, the weight will gradually increase, and subsequently it will be very difficult to return to acceptable standards. Prevention of obesity in children should begin at a very young age. That is, you need to carefully monitor the nutrition and activity of your children.
Types of Obesity
The following types of obesity are distinguished depending on the location of a larger percentage of excess weight:
- Upper (abdominal) - the fatty layer builds up mainly in the upper body and on the stomach. This type is most often diagnosed in men. Abdominal obesity has a negative impact on overall health, causing the onset of diabetes, stroke, heart attack or hypertension.
- Lower (femoral-gluteal) - fat deposits are localized in the thighs and buttocks. It is diagnosed mainly in the female sex. It provokes the appearance of venous insufficiency, diseases of the joints and spine.
- Intermediate (mixed) - fat builds up evenly throughout the body.
Types of obesity can be correlated with body types. Thus, the figure “apple” will be characterized by the appearance of excess weight in the upper part of the body and on the stomach, and in the figure of the type “pear” fat deposits will be localized mainly in the thighs, buttocks and lower abdomen.
Prevention of obesity in elderly patients is necessary, since at this age there are disorders in the endocrine system and reduced metabolism.
Obesity classification
Primary obesity develops with malnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. When the body accumulates an excessive amount of energy that has nowhere to spend, it accumulates in the form of fat deposits.
Secondary obesity is a consequence of various diseases, injuries, tumors that affect the functioning of the body's regulatory system.
Endocrine is an increase in patient weight due to disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the endocrine system, in particular the thyroid gland, adrenal glands or ovaries. Recommendations for the prevention of obesity in this case can only be given by a qualified doctor who has studied the patient’s history and conducted all the necessary examinations.
Diagnosis of obesity
As diagnostic measures are used:
- body mass index;
- electrical measurements of adipose and non-adipose tissue in the body;
- body volume measurement;
- measurement of total subcutaneous fat;
- blood test - used to diagnose diseases that cause the appearance of excess weight.
Based on the results, the doctor can make a conclusion about the presence or absence of the disease. Prevention of obesity in children and adolescents helps to maintain normal functioning of the body in adulthood and old age.
Obesity treatment
In some cases, weight loss is not observed even with a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity. In this case, doctors can prescribe suitable pharmacological drugs that contribute to weight loss. Prevention of obesity and diabetes is necessary if the patient has cardiovascular disease.
If a patient with obesity develops diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to take medications that solve these problems in the first place. The use of such drugs should be combined with a change in your usual lifestyle, and, if necessary, with the use of drugs that stimulate weight loss.
It is forbidden to choose and take drugs for weight loss without consulting a doctor. Promotional products do not give the desired effect, and effective drugs should be prescribed only after a full examination by a qualified doctor. Due to the large number of contraindications and side effects, the administration of such drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor in a strictly prescribed dosage. 
The consequences of untreated obesity
If you do not diagnose the cause of the excess weight in time and start treating obesity in time, serious complications may appear. Prevention of obesity in old age is necessary to prevent the occurrence of concomitant diseases and conditions, such as:
- diseases of joints and bones;
- increase in blood pressure;
- liver and gall bladder diseases;
- sleep disturbances;
- depression;
- increase in blood cholesterol;
- asthma;
- eating disorders;
- diabetes;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- early death.
The increase in body weight negatively affects the general condition of the patient and his health. The more body fat, the more difficult it is for the body to cope with its functions. The processes of respiration, digestion, blood circulation are disturbed, brain activity is reduced, diseases of the genital area and reproductive function disorder appear.
Diet for obesity
In obesity, the doctor refers the patient to a nutritionist who takes into account the preferences of the child or adult and draws up a new diet. Prevention of obesity in adolescents should include a psychological factor in combination with basic medical recommendations. The most important and effective recommendations are:
- restriction of the use of fatty, fried and high-calorie foods, convenience foods, soda, foods high in sugar;
- the use of skim dairy products;
- The basis of the daily diet should be fresh vegetables and fruits;
- meat and fish are preferred non-fat varieties, steamed, baked or boiled;
- restriction of foods high in sodium;
- reduce the amount of refined carbohydrates (bread, rice, sugar);
- eat at the same time;
- must have breakfast;
- replace any drinks with clean water and drink 2-3 liters per day.
It is necessary to purchase mainly healthy products and cook at home. With the development of severe obesity, these recommendations will not give a good effect, it will require strict monitoring by a nutritionist and a strict diet.
Physical activity in obesity
Improve the result of dietary nutrition will allow moderate physical activity. It is necessary to choose the best sport in which the body will not be exhausted. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult to motivate yourself to classes. Sport should be fun and give a boost of energy and positive emotions. 
Prevention of obesity in children should include reducing the time spent on a computer or TV to 1-2 hours a day. The rest of the time you need to be active, attend sports clubs or practice at home, even empty it will be cleaning the house, jogging, swimming or fitness. Everyone chooses classes to their liking.
Obesity: treatment and prevention
Obesity treatment should begin at an early stage. In this case, following a diet, an active lifestyle and a healthy sleep will be able to normalize weight and return the desired shape to the body. In rare cases, weight loss medications or surgery may be needed during which a reduction in the volume of the stomach is performed.
To prevent the development of obesity, you must adhere to several key points:
- give preference to healthy food and not eat more than necessary for the full functioning of the body;
- lead an active lifestyle - if the work is sedentary, then in your free time you should go in for sports, walk more in the fresh air;
- it is important to get enough sleep and avoid stressful situations that can provoke metabolic or endocrine gland disorders.
Following all the rules will prevent obesity. The causes, prevention and treatment of frolic obesity should be interrelated and aimed at changing lifestyle and returning to previous volumes of the body.