Can people with obesity do yoga?

Written by Zhang Jun Jun
Endocrinology
Updated on November 21, 2024
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Overall, individuals with obesity can still practice yoga, as obesity is a condition of nutritional excess and yoga is an aerobic exercise that can increase metabolic rate in the body, achieving a weight loss effect. However, there are many causes of obesity. Primarily, there is simple obesity, for which yoga can be helpful and can reduce body weight. If obesity is secondary, particularly induced by excessive use of steroids and conditions like Cushing's syndrome, yoga can be an appropriate form of exercise, but it is crucial to address the root cause. If the obesity is due to nodules on the adrenal gland, further surgical treatment might be necessary. Therefore, whether individuals with obesity can practice yoga also depends on their physical strength and other personal health conditions, including heart, liver, and kidney functions.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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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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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
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What diseases are easily contracted with obesity?

Obesity is most likely to affect the cardiovascular and endocrine metabolic systems. Obesity can easily lead to high blood sugar, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Over time, it can cause arteriosclerosis, leading to high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. At the same time, obesity can also cause some diseases of the digestive system, such as fatty liver, which is most common in obese individuals, leading to reduced liver function and increased transaminases. Additionally, obesity can lead to abnormal bone metabolism, making it easy to combine with osteoporosis.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun
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early symptoms of obesity

The early symptoms of obesity mainly include fatigue, poor appetite, somnolence, and a general lack of energy. The treatment for these symptoms fundamentally involves controlling obesity and reducing body weight. Weight control methods primarily include, firstly, dietary control by choosing low-calorie diets, such as a ketogenic low-carbohydrate diet to help reduce weight. The second method involves exercise; if one does not have conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, they can gradually engage in both aerobic and anaerobic exercises within their capacity. The third option, if diet and exercise prove insufficient, is to consider medication. There are now a series of weight loss drugs approved by national safety and the Food and Drug Administration that can be used. Additionally, in cases of severe obesity, metabolic surgery can be considered to alleviate the symptoms of obesity. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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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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Surgical treatment of obesity

Surgical treatment for obesity is applicable under certain conditions. This requires the obesity to reach a specific level, defined by indicators such as a BMI of over 35, and in the absence of severe diabetes or complications associated with diabetes. Considering surgical interventions for weight loss, these primarily involve bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass or gastroenterostomy which reduce food intake and absorption, thereby decreasing calorie absorption to achieve weight loss. While the effects of surgical weight loss are generally quite good, it can lead to some long-term postoperative complications, so careful consideration is required.