Nearly 40% of U.S. adults over 20 struggle with obesity.
However, the treatments for obesity are plentiful, and yet very few make use of them. In this article, we will cover 5 options you can consider for obesity.
If you want to get back to optimal health, keep reading to learn more.
1. Changes In Diet
As we know, one of the primary reasons for the formation of excessive fat is excessive calorie consumption, which over time, leads to weight gain.
Some foods are more likely to contribute to this, especially processed foods that have additives, such as corn syrup. This additive can generate great changes in body composition on the premise of its chemical structure.
Processed, ready-made and refined food that is high in fat and sugar should be reduced. Whereas, whole grained, high-fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables should be increased in your diet.
A great advantage of a high-fiber diet is the body tends to feel full quicker. Whole grains help to extend this feeling, as they tend to release energy through digestion slowly.
Not to mention, both reduce the risk of conditions that come from metabolic syndrome, which involves health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart palpitations.
In any case, speaking to a nutritionist is your best option to find the best course of action for your specific diet scenario.
2. Regular Exercise
Even though the body burns calories when sitting and sleeping, for most people that is simply not enough. The more active you are, the more calories you will burn.
For instance, to lose a single pound of fat, you need to burn 3500 calories.
Even simple activities such as walking, swimming, stair walking can greatly increase your activity to level to encourage fat loss. Chores such as housework, gardening, dog walking can help implement activity without additional time use.
In general, an hour of moderate activity every day of the week is recommended. If you are not used to exercising or finding it difficult due to a mobility/health problem, speak to a specialist who will educate you on exercise and how you can start.
A person who does not have a habit of exercising should not start with strenuous activity. Instead, slowly integrate exercise bit by bit.
3. Surgical Intervention
Bariatric or weight loss surgery is done to change or remove part of a person’s stomach/small intestine so that they cannot consume as much as food as they used to.
This can help somebody lose weight while reducing the risks of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic syndrome-related conditions.
Some types of surgery can help make your stomach smaller, while others allow food to bypass part of the digestive structure.
For instance, a gastric sleeve might be used to make the stomach smaller. After the operation, the person will not be able to consume more than a single cup of food at each sitting.
Another procedure enables food to bypass parts of the digestive system, specifically the initial part of the mid-section in the small intestine, consequently reducing the stomach size.
This procedure is more effective, but the risk of mineral and vitamin deficiency is significantly higher, because of the body’s inability to absorb nutrients as well.
Surgery might be recommended to people with a BMI of 30 or over. However, your doctor will take other factors into consideration, such as any existing complications you have. They will also weigh and consider the effectiveness of non-surgical treatments.
4. Treatments for Obesity: Medication
A doctor might prescribe medication to help a person with weight loss. However, this is only done if exercise and dietary changes have not helped and the person’s weight is beginning to increase their risk of diminished health.
In any case, the medication has to be taken on a reduced-calorie diet, as it does not replace lifestyle changes. Some side effects might include gastrointestinal inconsistencies, muscle and joint pain, headaches, respiratory system issues.
In reality, these complications only rise in advance with other conditions that the person might have. Medication is usually a non-recommended option because it does not address the roots of the issue, rather the supplemental symptoms.
5. Hormone Treatment
Recently, hormone treatment has been employed to help people with obesity. For instance, bariatric surgery impacts the gut hormones, thus leading to physiological changes in metabolization.
In addition, altering your gut flora via probiotics can also balance and improve the levels of good bacteria which contribute to improved digestion, and can help you metabolize your food better. However, other transmitters can be used to affect specific hormones, such as DHT, testosterone, and much more.
Harnessing the power of these hormones can lead to non-invasive treatments for obesity. To browse some of the products available, you can learn more here.
Obesity Begone
Now that you have discovered the five most common treatments for obesity, you might have found something that you would like to try. In any case, it’s always recommended to start with the cheapest, healthiest, and safest option, which is to change your life from the ground up.
Exercise, dietary changes, and positive thinking can help tremendously. In any case, whatever approach you choose, as long as you stick with it, it will work. Some approach better than others, but the difference is quite negligible.
It’s your body, and your decision, so choose wisely.
