Obesity is a severe form of overweight that poses a threat to health. Christina Phillips, a 27-year-old American girl, was trapped in her own body and could not move. Weighing 705 lbs, she decided to face her obesity, and to find a healthy and normal life.
Christina Phillips is a young woman who weighed 705 lbs just a few years ago. Unable to move, she became completely independent of her mother and husband when she was only 22 years old. Realizing finally that she had to take back her life, Christina decided to turn to the American show My 600-lb Life thanks to which she lost weight following a strict diet then by making a gastric bypass.
Having taken her life back, Christina now weighs 182 lbs, leads a healthy life, and trains regularly.
"Previously, as soon as I took three steps I felt like I was going to die. Now I can do just about anything I want. I can walk, go to the park with my nephew, go shopping or even drive. Says Christina, who lost three-quarters of her weight in the end! She currently weighs 83 kilos.
Causes of obesity
Obesity does not happen overnight, it grows gradually from poor diet and bad habits, among others.
In appearance, the causes of obesity seem simple: if you consume more calories than you burn energy through physical activity, you will gain weight.
However, the risk factors that contribute to obesity can be a complex combination of genetic, socio-economic, metabolic and lifestyle factors, among others. Some endocrine disorders, diseases and medications can also lead to weight gain.
Genetic factors: Studies have shown that one can inherit a tendency to obesity. Your risk of being overweight increases by 25% if one or both of your parents are obese.
Metabolic Factors: The way you spend your energy differs from that of others. Metabolic and hormonal factors are not the same for everyone, but they play a role in determining weight gain.
Lifestyle: Overeating associated with a sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity. Changing your behavior can affect these life choices. If you follow a diet with a high percentage of calories from sugary foods, high fat and refined, you will gain weight.
The dangers of obesity
In addition to affecting our well-being, our energy and our physical form in everyday life, overweight can, over time, greatly increase our risk factors for health problems and diseases, such as:
Type 2 Diabetes: Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by losing weight, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising more.
Cardiovascular Disease: Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Both conditions increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.
Some cancers: Cancers of the colon, breast (after menopause), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), kidney and esophagus are linked to obesity. Some studies have also reported links between obesity and cancers of the gall bladder, ovaries and pancreas.
Osteoarthritis: This joint affection most commonly affects the knee, hip or back. Overweight puts extra pressure on these joints and affects the cartilage (tissue that cushions the joints) that protects them.
Sleep apnea: When you are obese, there are fats that accumulate in the neck and pharynx, which can cause difficulty breathing at night and even sleep apnea because the air has bad to pass in the airways.
