Listed below are some of the early warning signs of obesity.
Early Warning Signs
Weight Gain
If you notice a sudden or gradual increase in body weight, it could be an early warning sign of obesity. Gradual and significant weight gain over time is a primary warning sign of obesity. And, if you notice a consistent increase in your body weight, it may indicate a potential risk of obesity.
Waist Circumference
Fat accumulation around the waist can be a sign of obesity. In general, a waist circumference of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is associated with an increased risk of obesity-related health issues.
Physical Appearance
You can use what you look like in the mirror or how well your clothes fit you to decide if it’s time to start losing weight.
Changes in Clothing Size
If you find yourself needing larger clothing sizes or notice a significant change in how your clothes fit, it may suggest weight gain and a potential risk of obesity.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your BMI is a useful tool to determine if you are overweight or obese. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese, and a BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight, which is a risk factor for obesity. However, BMI is a general indicator and may not be accurate for those with high muscle mass.
Increased Body Fat Percentage
Regularly monitoring your body fat percentage can provide insight into changes in your body composition and possible obesity.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Lack of regular physical activity or a predominantly sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of obesity. Spending extended periods sitting or engaging in minimal physical movement can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Increased Difficulty Walking or Going up Stairs
If you find that it’s becoming more difficult walking or going up the stairs, excess weight may be the cause. The excess weight puts more strain on the body. There’s more pressure on the joints and spine, and your muscles need to work harder to maintain your posture or move your body around. As a result, excess weight can lead to pain in the knees, lower back, or elsewhere.
Difficulty with Physical Activities
Obese individuals often experience difficulty with physical activities and may find it harder to perform tasks that were previously easier. Shortness of breath, fatigue, or joint pain during physical exertion can be warning signs.
Emotional Eating
Using food as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Unhealthy Eating Habits
Consuming excessive amounts of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, such as fast food, sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and processed snacks, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Frequent cravings for unhealthy foods may also be an indicator.
Yo-yo Dieting
Frequent weight cycling and unsuccessful attempts at losing weight can be signs of underlying issues that may contribute to obesity.
Metabolic Disorders
Certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to weight gain and obesity if not managed properly.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is associated with being overweight. While high blood pressure can be treated with medication, the most important thing to do is to lose weight.
Diabetes and High Cholesterol Levels
Diabetes and high cholesterol are serious chronic illnesses that can cause damage to your kidneys, nerves, eyes, along with blood and heart vessels. Diabetes and high cholesterol levels are detected by blood tests. One way to treat them is to go on a diet and/or work out regularly.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep.One of the biggest risk factors for developing sleep apnea is excess weight. Sleep apnea prevents you from sleeping well. Which, in turn, leads to daytime fatigue and also increasing the risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Family History
Genetics can play a role in obesity. If you have a family history of obesity or related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, it may indicate a higher risk of becoming obese.
Conclusion
Taking action upon noticing one or more of the early signs of obesity may help you avoid becoming obese and instead become healthy. However, it takes a lot of effort on your part.
