According to the WHO, Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat is accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and / or increased health problems. In, 2013, the American Medical Association voted to classify Obesity as a disease.

A person is considered to the obese, if their BMI exceeds 30. In India, the cut off limit is 27.5 (BMI is measured by dividing a persons weight in kilograms by the square of the persons height in meters). In India one in three citizens are overweight and 4 out of 10 Bangalorites are Obease and increasing at an alarming proportions. The cause is largely linked to change in dietary habits and lifestyle.

Obesity is linked to various diseases like blood pressure, type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, certain type of cancers and osteo arthritis. Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Obesity is most commonly caused with the combination of excessive intake of food with lack of exercise and Genetic susceptibility. It is also linked to endocrine disorders, medications or Psychiatric disorders.

Diet and Physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment of obesity. A variety of dietary regimen have come into vogue including the Atkins diet etc which drastically reduces carbohydrates in the diet while increasing the proteins (more information can be obtained with the Dietary councilor at the Apollo Hospitals at Bannerghatta road, Bangalore). A trail of anti – obesity drugs can be tried depending your eligibility for the same.

Bariatric Surgery may be considered in eligible individuals, where diet and exercise have proved ineffective or people who have regained weight despite all the effort.