Obesity

Obesity is a chronic and highly prevalent medical condition associated with increased risk of developing numerous comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Obesity is a state of excess adipose tissue mass or characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous and deep tissue of the body, usually 20% or more of an individual’s body weight. The current clinical definition of obesity, as defined by expert committees, is based on body mass index (B.M.I) which is simply derived by dividing weight by height in meters squared. It results from an excessive intake of calories in relation to energy expenditure over a long period of time. Obesity is more prevalent in developed than developing countries. It has been increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world  over  the past two decades to the extent that it a now a pandemic, affecting millions of people globally, and it is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. As per unani philosophy, Siman Mufrit is a balghami disease.  Khilte balgham predominates in the body of obese persons and hence is considered the predisposing factor in the causation of obesity because shahem and sameen(fats) are having barid ratab mizaj. The people having barid mizaj have a slower metabolic rate and finally suffer from obesity. Unani system of medicine recommends different regimens and a large number of drugs that can be successfully used in the treatment of obesity. Some single drugs as well as compound formulations mentioned by unani physicians are being used in the treatment of obesity, particularly the drugs which are endowed with properties like  mufatteh sudad, musakhin,mudir, muhazzil and mulattif.

Objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of Obesity by Waist to Height Ratio and Body Mass Index. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured in 500 primary school children. Body Mass Index and Waist to Height Ratio were calculated. Categorization of children on the basis of weight, height and Body Mass Index was done. Prevalence of Obesity was determined at Waist to Height Ratio cut offs of 0.48 and 0.5 and compared with Body Mass Index. Prevalence of Obesity as per Body Mass Index was 16.17% in boys and 12.07% in girls. At Waist to Height Ratio cut off of 0.5, 18.72% of boys and 24.9% of girls were obese and at Waist to Height Ratio cut off 0.48, 31.06% of boys and 39.24% of girls were obese. When validated against Body Mass Index, sensitivity and specificity of Waist to Height Ratio at 0.5 cut off were 41.43% and 81.16% respectively and at 0.48 cut off were 55.71% and 67.91% respectively. Hence, Waist to Height Ratio of cut off 0.48 may be employed a useful screening test for Obesity in primary school children.

Obesity can lead to a complex range of diseases including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer, and heart disease. It is now identified as the second leading preventable cause of death after cigarette smoking. Obesity and overweight occurs due to imbalance between calories consumed and calories utilized. Weight loss drugs, also called anti-obesity medications that help to reduce weight. Obesity drugs may be used in adult patients at medical risk from obesity BMI 30 or greater, or overweight patients with established BMI 27. The ideal anti-obesity drug would produce sustained weight loss with minimal side effects. These drugs alter one of the fundamental processes of the human body, weight regulation, by altering either appetite, or absorption of calories. In past years, numerous drugs have been approved for the treatment of obesity. However, most of them have been withdrawn from the market because of their adverse effects. Hopefully, more effective and better tolerated anti-obesity drugs will be developed through an improved understanding of the multiple mechanisms and complex physiological systems targeting appetite. Key words: Obesity, anti-obesity drugs, weight loss, side effects.

  This community based study assessed the prevalence of obesity and associated factors among age group between 16 to 75 years. The obese and overweight subjects were from age group from 31 to 45 year which was 42.42% and 28.78% respectively and most of them were in sedentary jobs. Obese and overweight dipsomaniac smokers were from the age group46-60 year which was 90%. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among overweight elderly was observed in this study. Key words: Obesity, Overweight, Dipsomaniac, Hypertension, Diabetes