Obesity is not an obvious problem. There are many underlying causes of obesity and many ways to treat it. Some methods work for some and not for others.
Now researchers know why.
A recent study in the Journal of Public Health looked at a group of 4,000 obese adults, and researchers placed them into six distinct groups.
#Number 1: Healthy young women – these are women who were obese but generally had very few obesity-related complications, such as type 2 diabetes
#Number 2: Heavy drinkers – as above, but with higher alcohol consumption.
#Number 3: People in their fifties, sad and anxious – mostly women with poor mental health and unhappiness
#Number 4: Older, wealthy, healthy people – generally positive health characteristics, but drinking heavily, and suffering from high blood pressure
#Number 5: Older people, physically ill but happy – older people with more chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, but good mental health
#Number 6: People with poorer health – those who are most economically deprived and those who have had the greatest number of chronic diseases
This research is important because understanding the underlying causes of obesity can help a person combat it. This is a major step forward in obesity treatment, but more research is needed.
There are two types of body fat distribution: android and gynoid.
According to PositivMed :
“An ‘android’ body fat distribution pattern is so called because more men than women have this profile. You may have heard it described as an ‘apple’ body shape because the waist is larger than the hips.”
And…
“A ‘gynoid’ distribution is most commonly seen in women. Many refer to this type of body shape as a ‘pear’. In this model, the hip circumference is larger than the waist circumference.”
Let us crunch the numbers for you!
1. Upper body obesity (Android)
This usually means eating too much and not exercising enough. Try cutting back on sweets and exercising for 30 minutes a day. If that doesn’t work, consult a healthcare professional.
2. Obesity in the stomach (Android)
Excess weight in this area can be caused by stress, anxiety, or depression. The best way to address this is largely through exercise and relaxation techniques. Again, it’s advisable to seek help from a healthcare professional or therapist.
3. Lower body obesity (Gynoid)
This is a common problem for many women. Exercises that incorporate lower-body resistance training, combined with cardio workouts, are essential for eliminating this fat problem. This area can be difficult to treat. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
4. Swollen Belly (Android)
Fat in this area can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption and/or breathing difficulties. Try to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed and focus on breathing exercises. Proper breathing is a full-torso exercise.
5. Obesity of the lower body extending down to the lower legs (Gynoid)
This most commonly occurs in pregnant women. Legs may swell. Try water aerobics to relieve pressure on the joints in your legs and feet, and sit with your feet elevated.
6. Big protruding belly with upper back fat (Android)
This type of obesity is similar to type 1 in that it is caused by inactivity. Exercise is vital, but so is maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Eat frequent but small meals.
Knowing what to do about a specific weight problem is key to developing the best method for losing fat.