Obesity
Obesity may be described as a bodily condition
characterised by excessive deposition or storage of fat in adipose tissue. It
usually results from consumption of food in excess of physiological needs.
Obesity is common among people in Western countries and among the higher income
groups in India
and other developing countries.
Obesity can occur at any age in either sex. Its
incidence is higher inpersons who consume more food and lead sedentary leaves.
Among women, obesity is liable to occur after pregnancy and at menopause. A
woman usually gains about 12 kgs. weight during pregnancy. Part of this is an increase
in the adipose tissue which serves as a store against the demands of lactation.
Many women gain more and retain part of this weight. They become progressively
obese with each succeeding child.
Obesity is a serious health hazard as the extra fats
puts a strain on the heart, kidneys and liver as well as the large
weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and ankles, which ultimately shortens
the life span. It has been truly said, ‘the longer the belt, the short the life‘.
Overweight persons are susceptible to several diseases like coronary
thrombosis, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout and
liver and gall-bladder disorders.
Causes
The chief cause of obesity, most often, is overeating
- that is, the intake of calories beyond the body’s energy requirement. Some
people are habituated to eating too much while others may be in the habit of
consuming high-calorie foods. These people gain weight continuously as they
fail to adjust their appetite to reduce energy requirements. There has, in
recent times, been an increase in awareness of psychological aspects of
obesity. Persons who are generally bored, unhappy, lonely or unloved, those who
are discontented with their families, or social or financial standing usually
tend to overeat as eating is a pleasure and solace to them.
Obesity is sometimes also the result of disturbances
of the thyroid or pituitary glands. But glandular disorders account for only
about two per cent of the total incidence of obesity. In such persons, the
basal metabolism rate is low and they keep gaining weight unless they take a low-calorie
diet.
Treatment
A suitably planned course of dietetic treatment, in
conjunction with suitable exercise and other measures for promoting elimination
is the only scientific way of dealing with obesity. The chief consideration in
this treatment should be the balanced selection of foods which provide the maximum
essential nutrients with the least number of calories.
To begin with, the patient should undertake a juice
fast for seven to ten days. Juices of lemon, grape fruit, orange, pineapple,
cabbage, celery, may be taken during this period. Long juice fast up to 40 days
can also be undertaken, but only under expert guidance and supervision. In the alternative,
short juice fasts should be repeated at regular intervals of two months or so
till the desired reduction in weight is achieved.
After the juice fast, the patient should spend a
further four or five days on an all-fruit diet, taking three meals of fresh
juicy fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya. Thereafter, he
may gradually embark upon a low-calorie well- balanced diet of three basic food
groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains , (ii) vegetables and (iii)fruits,
with emphasis on raw fruits, vegetables, and fresh juices. The foods which
should be drastically curtailed or altogether avoided are high-fat foods such
as butter, cheese, chocolates, cream, ice-cream, fat meats, fried foods, and
gravies; high carbohydrated foods like bread, candy, cake, cookies, cereal
products, legumes, potatoes, honey, sugar, syrup and rich puddings beverages
such as all-fountain drinks and alcoholic drinks.
One sure method of reducing weight is by practicising
what is known as "Fletcherism". It was discovered in 1898 by Horace
Fletcher of the U.S.A. .
Fletlcher, at 40, considered himself an old man. He was 50 pounds overweight,
contracted flu every six months and constantly complained of indigestion and a
tired feeling. After a deep study, he made some important discoveries and prescribed
the rules for "Fletcherism" which are as follows:
- Chew your food to a pulp or milky liquid until it practically
swallows itself.
- Never eat until hungry.
- Enjoy every bite or morsel, savouring the flavour until it is
swallowed.
- Do not eat when tired, angry, worried, and at meal-time refuse to
think or talk about unpleasant subjects.
Horace Fletcher followed these rules for five months.
As a result he lost more than 60 pounds and felt better than he had for 20 years.
A weight reducing program built on Fletcherism works wonders and is worth a
trial. Ingestion of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilizes
the extra deposited fat in the body and puts it into circulation which is used
as energy for normal functions. One should start with small quantity of about
10 grams to be taken with hot water. The dose can be gradually increased. Fasting
on honey -lime juice water is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity
without the loss of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one spoon
of fresh honey should be mixed with a juice of half a lime in a glass of
lukewarm water and taken at regularly intervals.
Another effective remedy for obesity is an exclusive
lemon juice diet. On the first day the patient should be given nothing but
plenty of water. On the second day juice of three lemons mixed with equal
amount of water should be given. One lemon should be subsequently increased
each day until the juice of 12 lemons is consumed per day. Then the number of
lemons should be decreased in the same order until three lemons are taken in a
day. The patient may feel weak and hungry on the first two days, but afterwards
the condition will be stabilised by itself. Cabbage is considered to be an
effective home remedy for obesity.
Recent research has discovered in this vegetable a
valuable content called tartroric acid which inhibits the conversion of sugar
and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight
reduction. A helping of cabbage salad would be the simplest way to stay slim, a
painless way of dieting. A hundred grams of cabbage yields only 27 kilo
calories of energy while the same quantity of wheat bread will yield about 240
calories. Cabbage is found to possess the maximum biological value with minimum
calorific value. Moreover, it gives a lasting feeling of fullness in the
stomach and is easily digestible.
Along with dietetic treatment, the patient should
adopt all other natural methods of reducing weight. Exercise is an important
part of weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body fat
and relieves tension, besides toning up the muscles of the body. Walking is the
best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming, rowing
and other outdoor sports.
Certain yogi asanas are highly beneficial. Not only
do they break up or re-distribute fatty deposits and help slimming, but they
also strengthen the flabby areas. Sarvangasana, halasana, bhujangasana,
shalabhasana, dhanurasana, chakrasana, naukasana, ardh-matsyendrasana, paschimottanasana,
vajrasana, yogamudra and trikonasana are recommended. These asanas work on the glands,
improve circulation, strengthen many weak areas and induce deep breathing which
helps to melt off excess fat gradually. Yogic kriyas like kunjal and jalneti
and pranayamas such as kapalbhati and bhastrika are also helpful in normalising
body weight.
The patient should also adopt measures which bring on
excessive perspiration such as sauna baths, steam bath and heavy massage. They
help to reduce weight. Above all, obese persons should make every effort to
avoid negative motions such as anxiety, fear, hostility and insecurity and
develop a positive outlook on life.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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