Obesity has become a common health condition, affecting 41.9% of adults and 19.7% of children in the United States. This is not unique to the US, as it is estimated that over half the world population will be obese or overweight within 12 years. Obesity prevalence has increased sharply over the past few decades for a number of reasons. In this post, we will review the various contributing factors that have led to a rise in obesity, as well as steps you can take to combat obesity and work towards a healthier weight.
How Did We Get Here?
The increase in obesity stems from complex causes, including genetic predisposition, societal circumstances, and the environmental challenges. While genes have always been a factor in obesity, the changes in lifestyle due to rapid developments in technology over the past several decades has had a much bigger impact.
Sitting while traveling in a car or on public transport and remaining stationary for work in front of a computer has led to a significant decrease in physical activity. Stress is also believed to be a major factor, as it can promote fat mass gain. Additionally, health conditions and genetics can also contribute to obesity by making it more difficult to lose weight, trapping those struggling to lose weight in a vicious cycle
An increase in the consumption of high-processed foods, such as most fast food, has had a significant impact on obesity rates. Highly processed food is more easily available, and is often much cheaper than healthy options. Depending on where you live, there may also be a lack of accessible farmer’s markets or grocery stores offering affordable, healthy options.
How Can You Combat Obesity?
Most of the advice to lose weight seems fairly obvious – eat nutrient-rich, lower-calorie foods and exercise regularly. However, there are a number of other factors that should be considered, such as:
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing stress
- Treating the symptoms of health conditions that may be affecting your weight or ability to lose weight
Starting a weight loss regimen with the guidance of a healthcare professional can greatly increase the chances of losing weight and keeping it off long term. They can evaluate your overall health, including health conditions you may have and prescriptions you may be taking which may contribute to weight gain.
Using this information, they can create a custom plan for you to follow to begin your weight loss journey. This plan may include measures such as meal prepping each week or taking opportunities to walk or take the stairs when you have the option.
Wegovy Weight Loss Medication
If you have tried diet and exercise without success and need to lose weight quickly to avoid health complications, your doctor may prescribe a weight loss medication like Wegovy. Wegovy is a weekly injection that helps reduce appetite. It works best when paired with diet and exercise.
This medication is generally prescribed to people with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher for those with weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension (high blood pressure). Wegovy comes in the form of a pre-filled injection pen, and is injected into the thigh, lower abdomen, or upper arm.
Dosage of Wegovy generally starts out very low, then gradually increases over time as your body adjusts to the drug. Wegovy is not right for everyone – your doctor will do an evaluation of your overall health, medications you take, and family history to ensure Wegovy is the right choice for you.
Last words
Obesity rates are steadily rising world-wide due to several factors, including people living more sedentary lifestyles and eating more highly-processed foods. Other causes include not getting enough sleep, managing stress, and other health conditions.
Working with your doctor to develop a weight loss strategy can significantly increase your chances of success in losing weight and keeping it off. They can help identify and treat any issues you are experiencing on your weight loss journey. They can also prescribe weight loss drugs like Wegovy in West Palm Beach and other cities to help reduce appetite and optimize the effectiveness of diet and exercise.
Working with healthcare professionals to help you reach your weight loss goals is the best way to ensure success and allow you to work towards your goal weight with confidence.
