Physical and Psychological Consequences of Obesity: Implications for Interventions

Description

Page: 98-103

Divya Rani and Neena Kohli (Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj0

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired. Obesity is recognized as a disease according to ICD 10th revision code E66. Obesity is considered as a life style of non-communicable disease. India is currently experiencing rapid epidemiological transition and is undergoing an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and coronary heart disease with morbid obesity affecting 5 % of the country’s population. The latest figure from the National Family Health Survey (2016) indicates obesity may be the next major health challenge in this country. Due to the consumption of energy-dense food that is unhealthy food habits, a sedentary life style and lack of healthcare services, developing countries are facing a high risk of obesity and their adverse consequences that is diabetes, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure, NIDDM (Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, CHD (congenital heart disease). This paper aims to understand the intervention and consequences of obesity such as vulnerability to chronic disease, social discrimination, isolation, stigmatization, depression and anxiety, health related quality of life ,well-being and reduced energy level, poor metabolism, fatigue, etc. The paper related to each consequence is presented systematically and the unfilled gaps that have not been explored by previous researchers will also be analyzed.