Weight Management Notes
1. Introduction
Weight management: The long-term approach to maintaining a healthy
body weight through balanced eating, physical activity, and lifestyle
choices.
Important for preventing chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs) such as:
o Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
o Cardiovascular disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease,
stroke)
o Certain cancers (breast, colon)
o Osteoarthritis
2. Definition of Obesity
Obesity: Excessive accumulation of body fat to the extent that health
may be impaired.
Measured using:
o BMI (Body Mass Index):
<18.5 → Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 → Normal weight
25 – 29.9 → Overweight
≥30 → Obese
o Waist circumference (central obesity → higher health risk).
Predicts health risk: The higher the BMI and waist circumference, the
greater the risk of chronic disease.
3. Etiology (Causes) of Overweight and Obesity
Genetic factors: Family history, genetic predisposition to fat storage.
Environmental factors: Availability of high-energy foods, large portion
sizes, fast foods.
Lifestyle factors: Sedentary behaviour, reduced physical activity.
Psychological factors: Stress, emotional eating, depression.
Socio-economic factors: Income, education, cultural perceptions of body
weight.
Metabolic/hormonal factors: Hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS).
1. Introduction
Weight management: The long-term approach to maintaining a healthy
body weight through balanced eating, physical activity, and lifestyle
choices.
Important for preventing chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs) such as:
o Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
o Cardiovascular disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease,
stroke)
o Certain cancers (breast, colon)
o Osteoarthritis
2. Definition of Obesity
Obesity: Excessive accumulation of body fat to the extent that health
may be impaired.
Measured using:
o BMI (Body Mass Index):
<18.5 → Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 → Normal weight
25 – 29.9 → Overweight
≥30 → Obese
o Waist circumference (central obesity → higher health risk).
Predicts health risk: The higher the BMI and waist circumference, the
greater the risk of chronic disease.
3. Etiology (Causes) of Overweight and Obesity
Genetic factors: Family history, genetic predisposition to fat storage.
Environmental factors: Availability of high-energy foods, large portion
sizes, fast foods.
Lifestyle factors: Sedentary behaviour, reduced physical activity.
Psychological factors: Stress, emotional eating, depression.
Socio-economic factors: Income, education, cultural perceptions of body
weight.
Metabolic/hormonal factors: Hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS).
