The Philippines is experiencing an increase in prevalence of obesity which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. According to DOST-FNRI, the prevalence of obesity among adolescents has tripled in the past 15 years. This may cause several non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases.

According to Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, said that “During the pandemic, fitness centers have been shut down, our activity may be decreasing, or we may be working from home and not moving as much. In addition, our diet has changed. We may be eating more comfort food or eating what happens to be around the house rather than getting something that is healthier.”. The pandemic contributes to the increase in weight of a person. However, there are other factors that contribute to being overweight. Here are the factors of obesity and how they can be managed. 

GENETICS

Research shows that genetics plays a role in obesity for it may be inherited and that some people appear to be genetically susceptible to weight gain. Children with obese parents are more likely to inherit to become obese than children with lean parents.

However, it does not mean that obesity is completely predetermined. Outside factors such as the person’s food choices, abundant intake, and physical activity you are engaged in have a huge effect on your health and it may lead to weight gain.

ENVIRONMENT

The environment that we live in nowadays has a huge influence on our ability to maintain a healthy weight such as everything a person needs is just one click away for it is all available in every mobile application.

Another, watching television and playing online/mobile games are a huge obesity risk factor for it promotes physical inactivity. And there were advertisements and commercials of fast-food chains that offer mouthwatering, highly palatable and at a very affordable price food products but contain high fat and high calorie type of foods which everyone tempts to buy and indulge.

Although anyone is permitted to do these activities and eat whatever they want, but always remember and practice all these in moderation and keep a healthy time and screen exposure for one’s health will not be compromised.

HORMONES

Hunger hormones or the Leptin and Ghrelin are hormones that play an important role in obesity for they are responsible for the appetite of a person.

In more precise, Leptin is a hormone, made by fat cells, that decreases your appetite while Ghrelin is in charge in increasing the appetite level and plays a role in body weight as well.

The appetite suppressor – Leptin - lowers when you're thin and higher when you're fat. But many obese people have built up a resistance to the appetite-suppressing effects of leptin, says obesity expert Mary Dallman, PhD, from University of California at San Francisco. On the other hand, Ghrelin also plays a role in sleep, with complete hours of sleep achieved, the lower the ghrelin level, the lower appetite level. Thus, having less sleep, more likely expected to increase in appetite.

Managing hunger hormones through having enough sleep and do not letting yourself feel hungry will be helpful in lowering the risk of obesity. In the same way, drinking water will help in taking up space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness and reducing hunger.

Overeating, physical inactivity and other risk factors mentioned above are the most common that may often lead to obesity. However, these factors are all manageable. It takes hard work; determination and a drastic lifestyle change to succeed. There will be challenges along the way in achieving your weight goals and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but all these hardship will all be worth it and will be paid off.

Written by: PFNP Patriarca

References:

UNICEF: Poor diets, failing food systems, and lack of physical activity are causing overwieght and obesity in children joint media release on 4 March 2021 https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/poor-diets-failing-food-systems-and-lack-physical-activity-are-causing-overweight

World Health Organization: Obesity and Overweight on 9 June 2021 who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Mayo Clinic News Network: How the COVID-19 Pandemic has Impacted Issues of Obesity by Deb Balzer on January 19, 2021 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-the-covid-pandemic-has-impacted-issues-of-obesity/

Harvard T.H. Chan – School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/