Definition
The overweight and obesity usually mean the increased weight from the excessively accumulated fat. Its estimation is by MBI (body mass index): BMI equal or more than 25 is overweight; BMI equal or more than 30 is obesity. In Canada, about 65% of adults have overweight or obesity.
Cause
The overweight and obesity is basically from the energy imbalance: IN is more than OUT.
The relative factors include:
1. Internal ones (gene, metabolism, and hormone)
2. External ones (diet, exercise, and stressor)
If overweight and obesity is from the external factors without internal disorders, it is called as “simple obesity” that mainly exists in children.
In adults, it is always from the combination of the internal AND external factors.
Many patients have insomnia or/and emotion problems.
Presentation
There are too many negative impacts of health from overweight and obesity.
1. Low energy
2. Worn joints
3. Appearance anxiety
4. Snoring or apnea
5. Acid reflux
6. Hypertension
7. Type 2 diabetes
8. Heart disease
9. Some cancers
Diagnosis
They are easily diagnosed according to MBI. Edema (excessive water retention) must be excluded.
But it is more important that the causes are figured out and the complicated medical problems are assessed and cared. Some weight gains are secondary to the primary medical diseases, like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome.
Treatment
The overweight and obesity of adults point at NOT ONLY external factors (diet, exercise, and stressor) BUT ALSO internal disorders (gene, metabolism, and hormone).
In adults, the overweight and obesity can not be resolved through the external factors (diet, exercise, and stressor). If internal problems were not treated, the overweight and obesity are hard to change or can not be maintained (rebounded).
In the Chinese medicine, view the body as an entity and use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to regulate the organs’ functions and reach the balance of IN & OUT. Finally the whole body act well like a machine.
In health, there exists good cycle or bad cycle. When a disorder happens and stays, more disorders follow (BAD CYCLE); if a disorder improves, other disorders will be affected (GOOD CYCLE).
For example: under stress – sleeping trouble – digestive problems – craving – lower energy – circulation and hormone disorders (especially female period) – infertility – worse issues in stress, sleeping, digestion, energy, circulation and immune, even cancer.