What are the dietary restrictions for obesity?

Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
1min 6sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Can people with obesity exercise?

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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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Harms of Obesity

In the case of obesity, it is first necessary to distinguish between physiological obesity and pathological obesity. For pathological obesity, further examination of the adrenal glands is required, such as respiratory syndrome, some problems with the pituitary gland, or conditions caused by Cushing's syndrome, all of which can lead to pathological obesity. The risks associated with obesity are quite significant. Firstly, it directly causes disturbances in the body's energy metabolism, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or other issues. Obesity can also lead to fatty liver, lipid deposition in the heart, kidneys, and other organs, resulting in corresponding organ damage. Additionally, it can cause infertility due to the deposition of fat in the ovaries, and in terms of joints, it places excessive load on the human joints, leading to various joint diseases, and consequently increasing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and sudden death risks.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
1min 28sec home-news-image

What medicine is taken for obesity?

Regarding obesity, first and foremost, one should not eat arbitrarily, meaning one should not randomly choose the so-called weight loss drugs available on the market. For obesity, we identify two types: primary obesity and secondary obesity. Primary obesity occurs without any specific reason, merely due to an irregular lifestyle, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, etc., leading to weight gain. Secondary obesity has identifiable medical causes; for example, weight gain caused by taking large amounts of exogenous hormones; or hypothyroidism leading to myxedema, which causes weight gain; or issues with the pituitary or adrenal glands leading to excessive secretion of cortisol in the blood, causing a redistribution of fat that results in Cushing's syndrome, among others. For these types of secondary obesity, it is important to identify the underlying causes and treat them accordingly. For primary obesity, it is not advisable to recommend weight loss drugs commonly found on the market. The first recommendation is to control the diet scientifically, combined with a certain intensity of aerobic exercise to reduce weight. Caution is advised with those weight loss drugs sold by online marketers; one should not consume them carelessly.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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Causes of Obesity

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of fat in the body. It results from the interaction of multiple factors including genetic and environmental factors that cause fat accumulation. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly caused by poor dietary habits, such as excessive food intake, particularly excessive fats, and a sedentary lifestyle. There is also secondary obesity, which is generally caused by diseases of the endocrine system. Hormonal treatments for allergic diseases and rheumatic diseases can also lead to secondary obesity.