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Risk from eating disorder

Eating disorder may be risky. Be aware and avoid the risk of getting sick

March 28, 2019

Eating disorders are incredibly common in this day and age, especially with outside influences shaping the way people think. Advertisements play a large part in telling people they should look a certain way, making many incredibly conscious of the way they look. This can often lead to a variety of issues, especially eating disorders, as people struggle to attain the ‘perfect’ shape, causing immense weight issues. Here is everything you should know about eating disorders.

risks fromeating disorder

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is characterized as irregular eating, in which a person may consume inadequate or excessive amounts of food, as a result of various mental factors. A person with eating disorders often has thoughts like ‘can I lose weight by eating less?’, ‘how to stay thin?’, etc, which shapes the way they think, directly affecting their intake of food. These can often lead to serious medical conditions, especially when the condition worsens without treatment.

What are the types of eating disorders and their risks?

There are 3 most common eating disorder types that people around the world suffer from.

  • Anorexia Nervosa – A person suffering from anorexia nervosa is typically fearful of putting on weight, making them consume only a fraction of food they should be eating during the day. He/she will have abnormally low body weight and limit their food intake, often thinking that they are overweight. Patients use excessive methods such as starvation, taking laxatives, etc. to control their weight, which eventually leads to medical issues such as infertility, heart disease, etc.
  • Bulimia Nervosa – Bulimia occurs when a person tries to compensate for eating by vomiting, taking laxatives, or even exercising excessively. This is mainly due to a fear of weight gain, as bulimics feel conscious about their weight and shape of their body. This can be potentially life-threatening, as Bulimia causes dehydration, heart disease, and various gastro-intestinal problems.
  • Binge-eating disorder – Binge-eating occurs when a person no longer has control over eating. Unlike Bulimia, there is no vomiting or laxative intake. Binge-eaters are typically overweight, which causes medical issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and more. As they put on more weight, patients feel guilt and embarrassment over their weight, which forces them to eat and be pushed into a vicious cycle.

How to prevent an eating disorder?

Many people are sitting ducks for eating disorders, making it essential to know how to prevent them from surfacing

  • Avoid eating lesser food, but begin eating more nutritious food
  • Talk to your loved ones about the dangers of eating disorders, to educate them
  • Develop a healthy body image, rather than sticking to what is seen in the outside world
  • Focus on being happy, rather than ‘thin’
  • If you feel yourself or someone else being obsessive about losing weight, seek help from a psychiatrist

You never know when someone may have an eating disorder, or the cause of it occurring, as each person’s personal environments and experiences are unique. However, it is necessary to seek timely help. Dr. Mohit Bhandari is a world-renowned Bariatric Surgeon with years of experience in the industry, helping people across the world battle obesity the right way.

Tips to prevent obesity

Simple tips to prevent obesity

March 8, 2019

Obesity is becoming a rampant problem in India. Studies show that over 5% of Indians are suffering from obesity. To tackle this very issue, the Indian govt. is promoting fitness initiatives such as Hum Fit Toh India Fit. This initiative has led citizens to adopt a healthier diet and engage in exercise. If you are concerned about your health and want to shave off the excess calories, here are some tips you could use to prevent obesity.

how to prevent obesity

Burn the calories you eat

Try to burn as many calories as possible after you consume food. This helps in preventing excess weight. Maintain a healthy balance between regular exercise and a healthy diet. Your body should be able to burn fat and lose excess weight. If your daily intake is around 1500 calories it is important to burn those 1500 calories, in order to lose weight. Maintaining your calorie intake and output will help maintain a healthy body and prevent obesity.

Do your diet right

Your diet is one of the vital things for your fight against obesity. Rather than consuming animal-based fats which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, it is recommended to consume vegetable oils like soybean or canola oil, as vegetable oils contain less saturated fatty acids and no cholesterol. Opt for foods that are rich in fiber like dried beans and raw vegetables, as they help in maintaining a healthy gut system.

Track your BMI

For Indians, a Body Mass Index of 18-22.9 is ideal; 23-24.9 indicates overweight and anything above 25 implies obesity. Keep your weight in check and maintain it as per your height, to keep BMI within the ideal limit. This would go a long way in keeping obesity away.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Drinking a glass or two to relax after your hectic day is not that harmful, but consuming more than that every day can increase your odds to weight gain. Studies have shown that consuming alcohol inhibits the oxidation of fat in the body. Moderate consumption of alcohol does not interfere with your lifestyle, but excessive drinking can. Be careful and keep your weight in control.

Say no to refined foods

Refined foods like refined white sugar and refined white salt should be avoided. All refined foods should be consumed in a minimum quantity, as they are rich in simple carbohydrates that are easily absorbed by the body and stored as fat. If you want to be benefitted for long-term weight management, avoid consuming refined foods.

Eat High-Fiber Foods

Intake of fiber in your diet may help prevent metabolic diseases such as obesity.It can absorb water and turns it into a gel, which slows down digestion. Some of the best sources of soluble fiber include oat bran, lentils, nuts, certain fruits and vegetables, and peas.

Obesity Surgery in India

Health conditions associated with Obesity

March 1, 2019

side effects of obesity

Obesity is the accumulation of excess fat in the body tissues. In technical terms, when the BMI (Body mass index) of a person is 30 or above, the person can be considered obese. Overweight and obesity may raise your risk for certain health problems and are also linked to certain emotional and social problems.

It is not necessary that everyone who is obese will have these problems, but the chances increase slightly if you have a family history of one of the below-mentioned conditions. Here’s a closer look at some of the conditions that are linked with being obese or overweight.

Heart Disease and Stroke

You are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol if you are overweight. Both of those conditions make heart disease or stroke more likely. If you lose around 5% to 10% of your body fat, you may lower your risk factors for developing heart disease or a stroke. Weight loss may improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood flow. The more you lose your weight, the more the chances eventually decrease, of having a heart attack or a stroke.

Type 2 diabetes

When your blood glucose aka blood sugar is too high, the chances of Type 2 Diabetes occurring in your body increases. About 8 out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity. If your glucose level is not maintained it can lead to problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage, and other health problems. Losing weight and becoming more physically active can help control your blood sugar levels if you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

High blood pressure

Obesity may raise your risk for certain health problems such as high blood pressure. High Blood Pressure is a condition in which blood flows through your blood vessels with a force greater than normal. High blood pressure can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and can even be fatal.

Sleep apnea

When you are not able to breathe normally while sleeping, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. You may stop breathing altogether for short periods of time. Health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease might increase if you don’t treat sleep apnea on time.

Cancer

Cancers of the colon, breast (after menopause), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), kidney, and esophagus are linked to obesity. Along with these, cancer studies have also shown that there is a link between obesity and cancers of the gallbladder, ovaries, and pancreas.

Gallbladder diseases

If you are overweight, gallbladder disease and gallstones tend to be more common. Imbalances in substances that make up bile cause gallstones. Gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol.

What emotional and social problems are linked to overweight and obesity?

Overweight and obesity are associated with mental health problems, such as depression. Some people may be the subject of weight bias and stigma from others, including health care providers if they have to deal with overweight and obesity. This can lead to feelings of rejection, shame, or guilt—further worsening mental health problems.

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