What is Obesity?
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to overall health. Body fat is often measured by body mass index (BMI), which measures weight related to height. Having a BMI of 25.0-29.9 is considered overweight and is a health concern. A BMI of 30.0-39.9 is deemed to be obese and can lead to several other health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Digestive problems
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
Causes and Risk Factors for Obesity
Obesity is a complex disease. Generally, it is caused by overeating and living a sedentary lifestyle. When a person consumes high amounts of calories but does not burn off the energy through physical activity, the surplus of energy will be stored by the body as fat. Besides behavior, other causes include:
- Genetics
- Medical reasons, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome
- Drugs, such as steroids and some antidepressants
Traditional Treatments for Obesity
Some medications are used as an appetite suppressant, making a person feel less hungry or fuller for longer. Other medications may make it harder to absorb fat from the foods a person consumes. Anti-obesity medications include:
- Orlistat
- Phentermine and topiramate
- Bupropion and naltrexone
- Liraglutide
Unfortunately, side effects are common when starting treatment with anti-obesity medications, including insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, mild increases in blood pressure, and more.
Lifestyle changes can be an essential part of obesity treatment and may help overcome obesity. Lifestyle modifications can include:
- Dietary changes that might include cutting calories, making
healthier choices, restricting certain foods or meal replacements. - Staying active by getting at least 150 minutes a week of
moderate-intensity physical activity - Adopting a Keto lifestyle
How Ketosis Treats Obesity
Ketosis is a natural metabolic state that allows your body to burn fat for fuel. During ketosis, your body produces ketones from your fat stores, which can be used for energy when there are no more carbohydrates left to burn. Although you always produce a small amount of ketones, you can dramatically increase your ketones (and the fat you burn) by reducing the calories you eat, fasting, reducing carbohydrates in your diet, or increasing your activity with exercise. When practiced regularly, entering ketosis has countless benefits, including weight loss, decreased inflammation and improved mental clarity.
Ketogenic diets have undoubtedly been shown to be effective as a tool to fight obesity, hyperlipidemia and some cardiovascular risk factors.
One study that compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet program with those of a low-fat, low-cholesterol, reduced-calorie diet found that the low-carbohydrate diet program had better participant retention and greater weight loss.
Another study found that there has been significant weight loss following ketogenic diet interventions. The ketogenic diet has also been associated with a decrease in systemic inflammation, reduced insulin resistance, and improved lipid profile.
Latest Research
Research on obesity treatment is ongoing. Stay up-to-date on the latest studies that
test how ketosis and autophagy may affect weight loss and obesity.