Can people with obesity exercise?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Obesity is a metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal distribution, commonly referred to as obesity, with body weight exceeding the standard. Obesity can be due to excessive intake and insufficient exercise; thus, not only can obese individuals exercise, but they also need to persist in it. However, during exercise, it is important to consider special circumstances. The amount and method of exercise vary from person to person, and it is necessary to develop individualized exercise plans and choose exercises or programs that are easy to maintain while progressively advancing. However, when designing exercise treatment plans, it is crucial to consider the impact of complications, especially for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal comorbidities, and choose suitable forms of exercise. Generally, it is recommended to exercise three to five days per week, with 30 to 45 minutes of appropriate activity each day. Patients with these complications should avoid intense exercises and can start with mild activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and strolling, or consult with rehabilitation specialists to develop appropriate individualized exercise plans.

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Can obesity get pregnant?

Obesity firstly needs to be differentiated, whether it is a type of physiological obesity or a pathological obesity, such as diseases of the growth gland, Cushing's syndrome, etc., which cause pathological obesity. In this case, some corresponding examinations are required for differentiation. If it is simple obesity, further tests for insulin resistance, blood glucose, blood lipids, and other metabolic indicators are necessary to determine if they are normal, as well as liver and kidney functions. If these conditions are all acceptable, pregnancy is possible. However, it is still important to monitor these indicators during pregnancy. Obesity is not an absolute contraindication for pregnancy, but of course, it is best to control the weight before getting pregnant.

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What tests are needed for obesity?

Obesity is divided into simple obesity and secondary obesity. Simple obesity refers simply to being overweight without any other primary diseases. Secondary obesity requires examination of certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, which can lead to obesity, thus necessitating thyroid function tests; or Cushing's syndrome, which involves increased body weight due to excessive corticosteroid hormones produced by various causes, necessitating an examination of the cortisol rhythm and sometimes a dexamethasone suppression test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary, and CT scan of the adrenal glands; also conditions such as depression or psychiatric illnesses that can lead to weight gain, requiring corresponding psychiatric scales, among others. In addition to these tests, it is also necessary to consider the patient's clinical symptoms and then conduct targeted examinations based on these symptoms.

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What department do you see for obesity?

The preferred specialty is endocrinology and metabolism because obesity itself is a metabolic disease. Besides the commonly known simple obesity, there is also a type called secondary obesity. The distinction between the two is that in simple obesity, the body does not suffer from any other disease; weight gain is merely caused by unscientific diet, irregular lifestyle, and lack of exercise, which can be resolved through some scientific methods. Another type is called secondary obesity, such as a common disease in endocrinology called Cushing's syndrome. It is caused by a tumor or hyperplasia in the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other reasons that lead to an excessive secretion of cortisol in the blood, consequently causing a redistribution of body fat, leading to moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. Common in endocrinology, hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain. This requires endocrinology specialists to diagnose and identify the specific condition in order to provide appropriate treatment.

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Can obesity be contagious?

No. Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary types according to its cause. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly due to poor dietary habits, such as overeating, particularly excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, and is not secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity is caused by diseases such as hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, hypercortisolism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and insulinoma. Therefore, the causes of obesity are not infectious factors, so obesity is not contagious. However, lifestyles can influence each other; being around people with poor lifestyles for a prolonged period can also lead to adopting poor lifestyle habits and potentially result in obesity.

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What are the dietary restrictions for obesity?

If it's obesity, it means a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28. In terms of dietary restrictions for obesity, the general principles are low salt and low fat. First and foremost, intake of fats should be limited, including both the cooking oils and foods consumed. Preference should be given to vegetable oils, and consumption of animal fats should be minimized. Even with vegetable oils, there is a limit to how much should be used, as excessive amounts can also exceed health standards. Furthermore, one should eat less fast food and junk food, such as various fried foods or those containing excessive seasonings, and these foods should be consumed minimally. There are also "invisible" fats to consider, such as those found in nut snacks and various small packaged snacks like peanuts and fried beans, which are very high in calories and should be consumed less. Additionally, sugary drinks like iced tea and pear syrup drinks should be avoided. The overall principle is a low-calorie diet, avoiding high-calorie foods.