Obesity is defined as excessive accumulation of body fat that occurs when caloric intake exceeds physiological needs. It can be caused by genetic, behavioral, social, and medical factors. Obesity is assessed by measuring body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and skin fold thickness. A BMI over 30 indicates obesity and is associated with increased risk of health complications like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Obesity management involves dietary changes like reducing carbohydrate and fat intake while increasing protein and fiber, regular exercise, psychological counseling, medication, and sometimes surgery.

1. 1
OBESITY
Obesity may be defied as a condition in
which there is excessive accumulation of fat
in the body. It usually occurs the intake of
food is more than the physiological need. A
person who posses higher body weight of
20% or more than normal for the height
maybe considered obese.

2. 2
Causes of obesity
• Familial/genetic.
• Age and sex: Prevalence of obesity increases with age
in man and in woman it continues to increase up to
age 60.
• Less physical activity.
• Childhood fatness.
• Social factor: Rich people usually take more food than
the poor.
• Social awareness: Who have knowledge on food and
nutrition eat healthy/balanced diet.
• Physiological: During pregnancy excessive average
weight gain is nearly 12.4 kg.

3. 3
Causes of obesity cont.
• Behavioral factor: Have affinity to take more energy-
dense and fatty food.
• Endocrine gland factor: Fat synthesizing enzymes acts
more due to the action of the endocrine gland.
• Drugs: Oral contraceptive, steroids, anti-depressants.
• Smoking: Body gain 2.5 Kg extra weight.

4. 4
Assessment of obesity
Obesity can be assessed by the following ways:
1. Body Mass Index (BMI).
1. Body weight; (Height-Weight table )
2. Estimation of total body fat: (Total body fat by density
method);
3. Skin-fold thickness: Skin fold thickness in the three
areas a. On the back one inch below the angle of
scapula b. On the chest over the lower rib in the mid-
axillary line c. On the back of the arm over the tricep
muscle.
4.

5. 5
Assessment of obesity by calculating Body Mass
index
• Body Mass index is calculated by dividing the weight (in
Kg) by the square of the height (in meter).
Internationally acceptable classification of BMI is as
follows:
• BMI = 20 to 24.5 is normal.
• BMI = 25 to 29.5 is overweight.
• BMI = Over 30 is obese
• BMI = Over 4o is very obese

6. 6
Complications of obesity
• Physical disability.
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Low life expectancy.
• Heart diseases.
• Stroke.
• Gall stone formation
• High cholesterol level
• High triglyceride

7. 7
MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY
• Dietary management.
• Physical exercise.
• Psychological management.
• Medicine
• Surgery.

8. 8
DIETARY MANAGEMENT
Obesity may be managed by dietary management by
following ways:
• Less intake of Carbohydrate (Not more than 55% of total
daily diet)
• Less intake of fatty food (less than 20%-30% )
• High quality protein (15%-20%)
• More intake of vegetables and fruits (except banana)
• High fiber diet
• Stop cigarette smoking.