Health Corner

What is obesity?Obesity is a chronic disease where excess body fat accumulates and harms health. It is assessed mainly by BMI (weight in kg ÷ height in m²) and waist circumference. BMI Categories Normal: 18.5–22.9 kg/m² Overweight: 23–24.9 kg/m² Obesity Class I: 25–29.9 kg/m² Obesity Class II: ≥30 kg/m² Severe/Morbid: ≥35/40 kg/m² Waist Circumference (Abdominal Obesity) Men: ≥90 cm Women: ≥80 cm How Obesity Gradually Damages the Cardiovascular System Artery hardening and...

What is fatty liver disease?Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. It is especially common among people who are overweight or obese, as abdominal fat can directly affect liver health. Why does obesity easily cause fatty liver? Abdominal fat directly affects the liver: Visceral fat around the abdomen releases a large amount of free fatty acids that flow directly to the liver, turning liver cells into “fat storage units.” Disrupted blood sugar and lipid levels: Obesity often comes with high blood sugar and high cholesterol, forcing the...

Type 2 diabetes is the most common complication of obesity, affecting about 80% of overweight patients. Excess abdominal fat impairs insulin function, causing insulin resistance and chronically high blood sugar that overworks the pancreas, leading to eventual failure. Effective Diabetes Risk Management Weight loss: Losing 7% of body weight reduces diabetes risk by 58%.Exercise recommendations: Combine 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise with strength training to improve blood sugar control by 30%.Dietary adjustments: Choose brown rice, beans, and vegetables; limit white rice and...

Dementia is essentially a cognitive disorder. Alzheimer’s disease, which people often hear about, is one of the most common forms of dementia. In Hong Kong, 9.7% of people aged 60 or above suffer from cognitive disorders, which are a major cause of loss of independence, disability, and death among the elderly. Every year, 1.96 million people worldwide die due to dementia—it is therefore a condition that must not be underestimated! What are the types of dementia? Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, which may be related to aging or hereditary...

Is there any benefit to regular gastroscopy and colonoscopy?Do you often experience indigestion or abdominal discomfort? Gastroscopy and colonoscopy can help investigate the underlying causes. These endoscopic procedures allow direct observation of the stomach and intestines to detect abnormalities or diseases such as abnormal cell growth, ulcers, or polyps. If any lesions are found during examination, the doctor may use forceps attached to the endoscope to collect tissue samples for analysis. Early screening helps lower the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach,...