Obesity in Men

Obesity in Men: Understanding the Prevalence and its Impact on Health

Globally, over 800 million men are classified as obese, with India ranking 180th in obesity prevalence among men. This alarming statistic highlights the widespread impact of obesity across different demographics. It’s not just a matter of appearance – obesity has far-reaching consequences on overall health and well-being. From heart disease and diabetes to certain types of cancer, the health risks associated are profound.

Understanding the prevalence of obesity in men is critical and the need for targeted interventions, lifestyle changes, and public health awareness has never been more urgent.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is more than just a physical condition – it’s a complex, multi-dimensional health challenge that affects millions worldwide.

Defined as an excess accumulation of body fat, it is commonly measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is the calculation derived from an individual’s height and weight, allowing for a standardized assessment of body weight relative to height.

According to the WHO, those having a BMI of 30 or greater, are classified as ‘obese’. While those having a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are classified as ‘overweight’.

Obesity can further be categorized into different classes:

Class I (Moderate Obese): BMI 30-34.9
Class II (Severe Obesity): BMI 35-39.9
Class III (Morbid Obesity): BMI 40 or above

These classifications help healthcare professionals assess the potential health risks associated with an individual’s weight status.

Prevalence of Obesity in Men

The prevalence of obesity in men has risen dramatically over the past few decades.

In 2022, India recorded 26 million obese men out of a total of 70 million obese adults, marking a 5% increase in obesity prevalence among men since 1990. This growing trend spans across various age groups and regions.

(Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/obesity-lancet-study-india-cause-9188931/)

Globally, obesity in men is on the rise, with developed countries seeing sharp increases and developing nations beginning to follow this trend, driven by urbanization and changing eating habits. Alarmingly, younger men, especially in urban areas, are increasingly facing obesity, fueled by the prevalence of fast food and sedentary lifestyles. Data trends clearly show an upward trajectory in obesity rates, highlighting the urgent need for targeted intervention.

A Growing Concern: The Numbers Don’t Lie <below graph>

Source: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-18784-4/figures/2

The Anatomy of Obesity: What Puts Men at Risk?

Causes of Obesity

Understanding the causes of obesity in men is critical for effective prevention and treatment strategies. There are multiple factors that contribute to this complex condition:

Lifestyle – Poor dietary choices, including high consumption of processed foods, sugary beverages, and unhealthy fats, play a significant role in obesity. Moreover, physical inactivity – often due to sedentary jobs and leisure activities – contributes to the consequence.

Environmental & Social Factors – Those with lower socioeconomic status often have limited access to healthy foods, leading to higher rates of obesity.

Psychological: Stress, emotional eating, and certain mental health disorders can also contribute to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain.

Genetic – Family history and genetics can influence body weight and fat distribution. If your parents are obese, you are more likely to be obese as well.

Associated Health Risks

In today’s fast-paced world, obesity has silently become one of the most pressing health concerns, especially among men. What may begin as a few extra pounds can quickly spiral into a complex web of health complications, often with life-altering consequences? Therefore, understanding the health risks associated with obesity is crucial.

Cardiovascular Diseases – Excess weight strains the heart, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Abdominal fat further disrupts hormones, worsening cardiovascular problems.

Metabolic Issues – Obesity is closely linked to metabolic disorders, especially Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance caused by obesity can lead to increased blood sugar levels and other serious health problems.

Joint Problems – Carrying excess weight places additional stress on joints, particularly the knees and hips, often leading to conditions like osteoarthritis. This can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.

Mental Health Issues – Obesity often leads to poor mental health. People with obesity are 18–55% more likely to develop depression. There’s a higher risk of depression and anxiety among obese men, which can create a vicious cycle of detrimental behaviors and worsening mental health.

Increased Risk of Certain Cancers – About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Colorectal cancer is the most common obesity-associated cancer among men. The underlying mechanism of obesity causing cancer is complex but there are long-term serious health implications involved.

Fighting Fat: Effective Prevention & Treatment for Obesity in Men

Obesity in men can be effectively managed and prevented through a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and consistent support. Here’s how:

Dietary Modifications – A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is essential for weight management. It is advisable to reduce the intake of processed foods and sugary beverages.
Physical Activity – Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, combined with strength training exercises on two or more days.
Behavioural Changes – Encouraging healthier lifestyle choices involves addressing emotional eating and developing coping strategies for stress. Support groups and counseling can prove to be beneficial for men struggling with weight management.
Medical Interventions – Among people who are severely obese, medical interventions may be necessary. Bariatric surgery presents as an option in such a scenario that can lead to significant weight loss and improvements in obesity-related health conditions.

Breaking Barriers with Awareness

The importance of education on obesity cannot be overstated. Awareness campaigns, such as International Men’s Health Week, play a vital role in promoting understanding and prevention of obesity. These initiatives encourage men to seek medical help and make informed decisions.

International Men’s Health Week aims to raise awareness about health complications faced by men, including obesity. It promotes health screenings, encourages healthy lifestyle choices, and provides resources for men to actively take care of their health.
International Men’s Health Day focuses on educating men about the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The day-centered initiatives aim to highlight the impact of obesity and encourage proactive health behaviors.

Why Men’s Health Matters?

When it comes to health, women often take center stage in discussions, but it’s high time we shine a spotlight on men’s health. Men’s health matters not just for men themselves but for those who depend on them. Healthier men lead to healthier families, communities, and a stronger society.

And when it comes to obesity, prioritizing men’s health becomes even more critical. Scheduling regular health check-ups, maintaining open discussions about health issues, and fostering supportive environments can help tackle the stigma surrounding obesity.

Men should be encouraged to share their experiences and challenges, promoting a culture of health and well-being.

Conclusion

Obesity in men is a pressing public health concern that demands immediate attention. By understanding the prevalence and impact of this condition, individuals and communities can take proactive measures to overcome the condition of obesity. Raising awareness, promoting education, and embracing healthier lifestyles are crucial in tackling this epidemic.

Men struggling with obesity should seek professional advice and support. The sooner the action, more significant the improvement in health and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to lose weight safely?

The safest way to lose weight involves a combination of dietary changes, regular physical activity, and behavioral modifications. Consulting a healthcare professional can provide personalized guidance.

How can obesity impact mental health?

Obesity can lead to increased rates of depression and anxiety, creating a cycle of emotional distress and unhealthy eating behaviors. Addressing both physical and mental health is essential for effective weight management.

Are there specific diets recommended for men?

While no single diet is universally recommended for men, a balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats is often encouraged. It’s best to consult a healthcare provider for individualized dietary advice.

References

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

2. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

3. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/overweight-and-obesity

4. https://www.menshealthnetwork.org

5. http://www.internationalmenshealthday.com

COVID-19 Pandemic: Increase risk factors for childhood obesity

Combating Childhood Obesity During COVID-19: Tips for Keeping Kids Active and Healthy

Childhood obesity is a major risk factor for obesity in later life, which is associated with health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Prolonged school closures due to COVID-19 could raise risk factors for weight gain in children. Parents need to know about the significance of keeping their children active to lessen risk factors for childhood obesity even with school closures and social distancing.

Challenges in Managing Screen Time

During the pandemic, parents are finding it challenging to limit their children’s screen time and encourage physical activities — especially while balancing work, managing household chores, and supervising online school assignments. Closures of parks and public places have forced children to temporarily restraint from sports and other activities. Social distancing also reduces the chance for children to exercise and play outdoors. Another concern here is that increased screen time is connected with increased snacking. Families and children are dealing with increased boredom and anxiety, and these sentiments eventually relate to overeating.

Benefits of Exercise During COVID-19

Regular exercise is vital for all, including children. Children will be more interested in exercise if the whole family participates, like yoga sessions at home, dancing together, walking the dog or family walks, etc. Many online services offer exercise videos, especially for children. Work with your child to set an age-appropriate exercise goal, to encourage them to keep moving. However, for the following reasons, exercise is particularly important for children during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Prevent weight gain – Exercise can help children burn calories and balance the effects of sedentary activities.
Reduces anxiety – Exercise is a mood-booster and can help children reduce their stress levels and build emotional spirit.
Boosts the immune system – Exercise has immune-boosting benefits that may help children and adults to fight off infections, including COVID-19.

Healthy Eating Tips for Families

Also, here are some healthy eating tips for your family.

Include fruits and vegetables in the diet – give children freshly-cut salads, and large batches of soups and stews. Take care to add foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits, and foods rich in zinc, like whole grains, baked beans, and nuts, to the diet. These foods can protect against viral infections.
Avoid processed and artificially-preserved food – as they have high quantities of saturated fatty acids, sugars, and salt. Eating freshly home-cooked food will be hygienic for children, hence reducing the risk of infections. Adding milk and milk-based products like curd will help in maintaining good health, and food fortified with Vitamin D is useful.
Build up a stock of healthy snacks – nuts, cheese, yoghurt (preferably unsweetened), chopped or dried fruits, boiled eggs, etc. Limit the amount of added sugar your child eats or drinks.
Drink enough water – It is recommended to drink a maximum of eight glasses of water per day for children aged 9 and older.

Also Read: Benefits of Losing Weight

Conclusion

A healthy diet along with regular physical activity can help children stay fit while schools are closed. Taking steps to reduce your child’s risk factors for childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic and all year long will lay the foundation for a lifespan of good health.

Have queries related to nutrition and diet? Consult today with Smart Cliniqs’s nutrition counsellor.

Can Lack of Sleep Cause Obesity?

How Lack of Sleep Contributes to Obesity and Weight Gain

There are many possible ways that lack of sleep could increase the chances of becoming obese. Obesity develops when energy intake is more than depletion. Diet and physical activity play an important role in this, but in addition, inadequate sleep may also be an equally important factor. Unfortunately, many people are not getting enough sleep.

Sleep-deprived people may be too tired to exercise or may take in more calories than those who do, clearly because they are awake longer and have more chance to eat. It’s not that if you sleep, you will lose weight, but if you are not getting enough or good quality sleep, your metabolism will not function properly.

Not getting enough sleep is common, even talked about with pride by some people, but we do pay a price for staying up late and getting up early.

Less sleep makes you more likely to eat more calories at night, your appetite increases and you are less likely to resist eatables and control portions which may lead to weight gain.

Poor food choices combined with lack of physical activity set the stage for obesity and further sleep loss.

Poor sleep completely alters the way the body responds to food.

On the other hand, starting healthy sleep habits can help your body maintain a healthy weight.

Tips for Better Sleep

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to get a good night sleep:

1. Avoid any caffeine late in the evening

2. Exercise also helps improve sleep quality.

3. Turn off all electronics – no screen time before bed

4. Make sure your bedroom is dim and quite

5. Have a bedtime routine – try to go to bed the same time daily, your body gets used to a schedule

6. Avoid big meals before bedtime – can increase the risk of heartburn, which will certainly keep you up all night.

Suffering from obesity? Looking for obesity surgery in Delhi? Schedule your appointment with us at Smart Cliniqs.

Also Read: Understanding the Causes of Obesity in Children and Adolescents

The Gulf Obesity Crisis

Gulf Obesity Crises: The Global Health Challenge

Obesity is now the biggest healthcare challenge worldwide, approximately one in three is either obese or overweight. Gulf obesity has particularly surged, overtaking malnutrition and infectious diseases as the world’s no.1 health problem.

Obesity in the Middle East

The problem is even bigger in the Middle East. According to one study, 51 million people in the Gulf are classed as obese. An epidemic indeed. In the same study, Qatar is reported to have the highest incidence of obese men (44 percent) in the Middle East and North Africa region, followed by Kuwait (43 percent) and Bahrain (31 percent), while the prevalence of obesity among women exceeded 50 percent in three Middle Eastern countries; Kuwait (59 percent), Libya (57 percent) and Qatar (55 percent).

Economic Impact of Obesity

Not only does obesity carry serious consequences for people’s health, but it also carries a global cost of $2 trillion, consuming 2.8 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product and demanding approximately 15 percent from the healthcare budgets of developed countries, according to the authors of the McKinsey report.

Researchers have produced the startling forecast that if current obesity rates continue, almost half of the world’s adult population will be overweight or obese by 2030.

Rising Demand for Bariatric Surgery

The demand for bariatric surgery is increasing by 20 percent annually in Gulf countries, however in many cases it is out of necessity rather than choice. Bariatric surgery is proven to reduce the risk of serious health complications associated with obesity such as cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, certain cancers, and perhaps most pressing for the region, type 2 diabetes. According to experts, we must not believe that obesity is not self-inflicted or a lifestyle choice, rather than a critical health issue.

Challenges and Criticism

It is these damaging perceptions that have led to widespread criticism of bariatric surgery, which can cost between $8,000 and $15,000, as many claim that the procedure is becoming a substitute for a lifestyle overhaul. It is from this viewpoint that a serious stigma has emerged.

Economic and Health Benefits

An increase in bariatric procedures could also realize financial savings for governments and healthcare systems alike, as patients who have undergone surgery, are more likely to avoid life-threatening and costly conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, which currently affects approximately one in ten adults in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Youth and Bariatric Surgery in the UAE

More young patients end up undergoing bariatric surgery in the UAE

Doctors advise weight-loss procedures if children have high BMI and other health issues

Obesity Statistics in the UAE

Abu Dhabi: With obesity cases rising in the UAE, more and more younger patients are being recommended for weight-loss surgeries, experts have said.

The surgeries are a last resort in the fight against obesity and its related complications. They are often a better choice than letting children’s health get progressively worse.

Global Obesity Trends

Statistics compiled by regulator Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), indicate that nearly 30 percent of school-going children in Abu Dhabi are overweight or obese and the proportion rises to 40 percent among teenagers. Worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980 and in 2011 more than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight (WHO).

Unless we take some drastic and wide-ranging measures, obesity will soon become the world’s biggest and most expensive health issue ever.

A food for thought, shall we say.