Obesity: Causes, Consequences and Interventions

A person may be said to be obese if he/she has a body mass index or BMI of over 30 kg/m2. Obesity is detrimental to the overall health of the individual. It increases the likelihood of various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, certain cancers and depression. It is a leading cause of death worldwide but it is largely preventable. It is generally caused due to a combination of excessive food intake, genetic susceptibility and lack of physical activity. Certain factors such as endocrine disorders, mental disorders, genes and medications may also influence its incidence. The management of obesity is generally done by making lifestyle and dietary changes. Reducing the consumption of fats and sugars, increasing dietary fiber intake and regular exercising are the most recommended strategies. Medication can also help decrease fat absorption in the body or reduce appetite. In some cases, a surgery may be performed as a potential intervention. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about obesity. The topics covered in this extensive book deal with the core aspects of the causative factors and consequences of obesity as well as the interventions aimed at its management. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field.