What does it mean to be overweight? Overweight and excess weight are synonyms. Overweight is defined by an excess of body fat mass, also called adipose tissue. Fat mass should be distinguished from lean mass, which includes organs, muscles, bones, skin, and naturally occurring fluids in the human body.
What is the difference between being overweight and being obese? Since 1975, the number of cases of overweight or obesity has significantly increased. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 2 French people are affected. According to a recent study, 47.3% of French people declare themselves overweight, of which 17% consider themselves obese. The peculiarity of the evolution of these figures mainly concerns the youngest. Indeed, since 1997, obesity among 18-24 year-olds has increased fourfold, and threefold among 25-34 year-olds.
However, this health situation is not inevitable: obesity can be prevented, treated, and cured.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes overweight and obesity as "an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that may impair health". The term "obese" refers to a person with more body fat than the term "overweight" implies. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the measure used to detect overweight or obesity, and to make a clear distinction between the two.
Obesity is a chronic progressive disease with heterogeneous clinical forms, ranging from simple obesity to severe and morbid obesity.
Becoming aware of being overweight means accepting to act before risking falling into obesity. A doctor can assess the risk posed by being overweight as more significant if other risk factors are present: for example, they may monitor waist circumference, blood pressure, and family history, as well as lifestyle-related factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, or smoking.
What are the consequences of obesity? Obesity is associated with an increased risk of diseases as soon as the stage of obesity is reached, that is, if the BMI is above 30 kg/m2. The main risks include:
- Psychological impact (lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety)
- Numerous respiratory complications
- Joint problems
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Complications in reproductive function
Weight and cholesterol are not necessarily linked. However, overweight individuals tend to have more fat in their blood (cholesterol and triglycerides), often the result of dietary imbalance and/or lack of physical activity. A healthy diet is crucial for losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, and for reducing cholesterol levels.
Some of these risks may also be present if you are overweight (BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2) without yet reaching the stage of obesity. To assess health risks, we recommend talking to your regular doctor, or if they are not available, to a doctor on Livi.
What are the effects of fat on the body? An excess of abdominal fat indicates the presence of fat around your internal organs. Called "visceral fat," it secretes hormones and other inflammatory proteins responsible for increasing blood pressure, insulin resistance, or cholesterol. All of these factors favor the onset of cardiovascular diseases or type 2 diabetes.
Fat located elsewhere does not have these severe consequences. For instance, fat on the hips may have fewer severe consequences.
How do you know if you are overweight? The indicator used to determine if one is overweight or obese is the Body Mass Index (or BMI). Thanks to the BMI calculation, it is possible to locate one's weight relative to an ideal curve and to determine if one is overweight. It is also important to note that being underweight is not better for health than being overweight.
The BMI corresponds to the person's weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of their height (in meters). The WHO classifies the results for adults as follows:
- Underweight: <18.5
- Healthy weight: 18.5-24.9
- Overweight: 25-29.9
- Obesity: >30
To calculate your BMI, simply apply the formula BMI = (weight in kg/height in m)², or visit our BMI calculator.
However, the BMI score should not be analyzed alone: an athlete with minimal body fat may have a high BMI due to the weight of their significant muscle mass, but without incurring the same health risks as a less muscular person with an equivalent BMI.
What are the causes of overweight and obesity? One might think that excess calories are the main cause of overweight or obesity. In reality, overweight and obesity result mainly from an imbalance between calories consumed and those expended. Many other factors can contribute to the emergence and perpetuation of excess weight, making it more difficult to control weight. Here are the most common causes of overweight and obesity.
Easy access to high-calorie foods Foods and beverages high in energy and rich in fats and sugars are very accessible today. It is important to keep in mind that they should be consumed in small quantities and exceptionally. In addition to informing about good habits to maintain, public policies can help steer consumer choices towards a healthier and more balanced diet.
Low protein content in unhealthy foods Eating protein increases the feeling of fullness. Processed foods often contain little protein and lots of carbohydrates and fats, so the body does not recognize the feeling of satiety. The portions consumed are then increasingly large, and this increases the risk of overweight and obesity.
Lack of physical activity Sedentarism increases the risks of obesity. This situation has been exacerbated by social restrictions related to the coronavirus. Confinement has forced us to spend more hours sitting in front of laptops, phones, and television. The lack of exercise is a significant risk factor for diseases, and physical activity is declining globally, consequently promoting obesity.
Genetics Each metabolism reacts differently to diets and lifestyles: genetics indeed play a significant role in how our bodies evolve, including in terms of weight fluctuations.
Medications Steroids, anticonvulsants, some diabetes treatments, antidepressants, and antihistamines are all medications linked to weight gain. If you notice a rapid and involuntary weight gain following your treatment, you can talk to your regular doctor, who may suggest possible alternatives or advise you on dietary measures to take.
Diseases Certain diseases can play a role in weight gain, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing's disease, or thyroid problems.
Why lose weight? Weight gain can have a significant impact on mental health and self-esteem. Losing weight has many benefits: in addition to the health benefits, regaining a healthy weight can boost self-confidence and thus encourage sociability and physical activity.
Losing just 5 to 10% of your weight can also reduce the risk of developing diseases, such as diabetes, joint and muscle diseases, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks, or sleep disorders.
Like underweight, being overweight and obese negatively affects fertility, whereas having a healthy weight increases your chances of pregnancy.
How to lose weight? Research on the subject has shown that in cases of excess weight, a diet with slow weight loss has a better chance of success among obese individuals. The healthy diet must be long-term, and it is therefore essential to strive not to lose more than 0.5 to 1 kg per week. Indeed, emergency diets are generally not effective. If the initial weight loss is too drastic, the pounds lost are often regained at the end of the diet. It is therefore best to adopt a balanced diet over the long term and to establish healthy eating habits.
Here are some recommendations from doctors on Livi to apply for healthy weight loss:
Apply a balanced diet with controlled calorie content and rich in nutrients. This can be achieved with the help of your regular doctor or a dietitian.
Take the time to do 2.5 to 5 hours of physical activities weekly such as jogging, gym, or dancing, or low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, yoga, biking, or Pilates.
How can my doctor help? Your BMI indicates that you are overweight or obese? You can talk to your regular doctor about it. If they are not available, do not hesitate to call on a doctor on Livi. They can offer solutions, such as psychological and behavioral follow-up depending on their diagnosis to help you improve your health and well-being.
To prepare for your consultation as best as possible, and if you have the opportunity, it is useful to keep a food and exercise journal for the two weeks preceding your appointment.
Your doctor will explain the benefits of losing weight healthily and the risks incurred if you remain overweight. You can also discuss with them the possibilities of consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist to talk about your relationship with food. In some cases, surgery may be proposed.
A nutritionist can also help you work on your eating habits. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and high-fat diet can help you reduce abdominal obesity and reach your ideal weight.
It is not always easy to lose excess weight. Getting help to fight excess weight or obesity can allow you a healthy and sustainable management.
In short:
Obesity has almost tripled worldwide since 1975, Nearly one in two French people is affected by an overweight problem It is a multifactorial problem that particularly concerns the youngest Psychological, behavioral, and surgical treatments are available to help you treat this disease, Abdominal fat can lead to an increased risk of diseases. The following sources deal with obesity and seemed interesting to us to complement this article:
Solidarité Sante Gouvernement Overweight and obesity WHO