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 narrowing: Excess "bad" cholesterol adheres to vessel walls, forming fatty plaques that reduce elasticity.

• Sustained high blood pressure: Increased weight forces the heart to pump harder, leading to chronic hypertension.

• Lipid imbalance: Abdominal fat affects the liver, decreasing "good" cholesterol and raising "bad" cholesterol.

• Inflammatory response: Fat tissue releases harmful substances, causing ongoing vascular inflammation and accelerated aging.

Effective Management of Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Issues

Lifestyle Changes (Core Treatment):
Losing 5–10% body weight reduces inflammation by 20% and improves vessel elasticity.

Regular Exercise:

• Aerobic: Brisk walking 30–45 minutes daily.

• Resistance training: 2–3 sessions weekly.

Diet Principles:

• Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet.

• Increase Omega-3 sources like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

• Limit salt to <6g daily.

• Reduce saturated and trans fats.

Monitoring and Interventions:
Regularly check blood pressure, lipids, and glucose. Severe cases may consider bariatric surgery like gastric sleeve or bypass.

Obesity severely impacts cardiovascular health. If weight rises steadily or symptoms appear, seek medical evaluation promptly for early control and complication prevention.

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