Understanding Obesity: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Insurance

According to a report by WHO in 2022, one out of eight individuals suffers from obesity – a medical condition occurring from too much fat accumulation in the body. With these numbers on the rise, learn everything about obesity symptoms, causes, treatments, and health insurance for obesity patients to always stay prepared.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic condition characterised by excessive fat accumulation in the body, making the patient more prone to several diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, liver disease, sleep apnea, or even cancer.

Weight and obesity are two different concepts. A certain amount of body fat is essential for various metabolic activities and contributes to weight. However, when the fat accumulates too much over a prolonged time, it is defined as obesity.

The most commonly used measure to determine obesity symptoms is an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI).

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A medical professional calculates your Body Mass Index (BMI) by measuring your weight, circumference, and height. It is the primary test for diagnosing obesity symptoms and getting an understanding of whether you are healthy, overweight, or obese.

This is what your BMI reveals about you –

• 18.5 or below – Underweight
• 18.5-24.9 – Healthy weight
• 25-29.0 – Overweight
• 30-39.9 – Obese

Types of Obesity 

Based on the calculated BMI, obesity is divided into three classes –

• Class I Obesity – 30-35 kg/sq m
• Class II Obesity – 35-40 kg/sq m
• Class III Obesity – 40+ kg/sq m

How Common is Obesity?

A study reveals that about 70% of India’s urban population is overweight, making India the third most obese country in the world. Worldwide obesity cases have tripled in the last 5 decades.

Obesity Symptoms

Some common obesity symptoms include –

• Higher fat content, varicose veins, and joint pressure. 
• Chronic inflammation in several body parts.
• High blood lipid and sugar content.
• Increased blood pressure.

Causes of Obesity

The direct and most relevant cause of obesity is consuming more calories than the body requires to sustain metabolic activities. Common sources of accumulating excess calories include fast food, packaged and processed food items, cold drinks, and sweets.

Some congenital diseases, leptin resistance, and insulin resistance cause obesity symptoms too. Certain medications can also contribute to a person’s weight gain. Lastly, age, lifestyle, and genetics affect the prevalence of obesity symptoms too.

Diagnosis

There are two methods of diagnosing obesity –

• Clinical diagnosis
• BMI

Some secondary tests that are also performed include –

• Taking blood pressure and heart rate
• Listening to heart sounds
• Taking a history of weight changes

Obesity Treatment Plan

Obesity treatment is determined by an individual’s requirements, their BMI, and other clinical factors. The obesity treatment plan is always gradual, emphasising small changes at a time. It usually includes dietary changes and introducing workout sessions.

Another aspect of obesity treatment includes providing medication that affects hunger by suppressing the appetite, such as –

• Orlistat –  It reduces the absorption of fat from the gut.
• Phentermine – It decreases the appetite.

Importance of Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. It is important to prevent obesity as it is a chronic clinical condition that requires a long-term treatment plan once diagnosed.

You can prevent obesity by –

• Adding a time slot for physical activity in your routine
• Developing a mindset of eating healthy, staying fit, and living longer

The Need for Health Insurance for Obesity

Obesity can cause deadly diseases such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and kidney issues if taken for granted. Hence, obese patients must consider purchasing a comprehensive health insurance plan. Premiums can vary according to your BMI range, as health insurance for obesity patients includes a higher premium. 

Look for the following benefits when purchasing health insurance for obesity patients –

• Covering medical expenses
• Coverage for critical illness
• Cashless claims
• Pre and post-hospitalisation charges
• Ambulance costs
• Medication expenses

Key Takeaways

Obesity can make you prone to several medical problems and may put you at risk of deadly diseases. While losing weight should be a primary concern, purchasing health insurance for obese patients is a necessity, given that these people are more prone to diseases.

Consider platforms like PhonePe for a convenient insurance purchase experience.