Obesity has become a major health issue affecting people worldwide. Foreseeing the harmful effects, renowned physician Dr. Richard Carmona, has stated, 'Overweight and obesity is the second leading cause of death, killing 300,000 people a year, ...There is not a miracle pill that will lead to weight loss'. Statistics show that, near about one-third of US adults suffer from obesity. Due to this rising problem, treatment options are being expanded by medical professionals. The most efficient way to find out whether you are obese or not, is by calculating Body Mass Index (BMI). The calculation is very simple and you can do it by dividing body weight in kilograms by square of height measured in meters. The standard set by WHO, defines a BMI of 30 as an indicator of obesity. Obesity Treatment Guidelines The most common causes of obesity are improper lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Sedentary lifestyle and living on fast foods are the most common causes of obesity in America. Obesity can also be genetic and childhood obesity in also increasing at an alarming rate.

• Calculation of BMI.
• Deciding why the treatment is needed.
• Assessing presence of any heart diseases.
• Sustained weight loss goals.
• Options of treatments - pharmacotherapy, surgery or lifestyle therapy.
• Post therapy follow-up and medications.
• Proper evidence supporting the treatment throughout.

Obesity Treatment and Prevention Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatments are carried out accordingly. If a person has other health disorders (e.g. Diabetes, thyroidism, heart diseases, etc.), associated with obesity, then treatments need to be carried out with intense precision, so that there are no side effects. The mode of treatment varies for children and adults. Obesity Treatment for Children Recent statistics have shown that 16% of US children are suffering from obesity symptoms. Early diagnosis can help to get rid of obesity in children. The most genuine cause of obesity in children are their eating habits and lifestyle. Lifestyle: Children must be encouraged to be involved in physical activities. Instead of spending hours in front of computers, they should actively participate in outdoor sports like cricket, football, volleyball, etc. Jogging, running and swimming can do much to prevent obesity. Food Habits: The present generation children are much more inclined towards consuming junk and fast foods. These foods can do nothing better than adding extra pounds to the body. You must make an effort to include more vegetables and fruits in their diet to prevent problems associated with obesity. Medical Treatments: In case your child is suffering from diseases like asthma, bronchitis, along with obesity, get proper treatment. The best option to deal with obesity is to follow the doctor's advice systematically and once your child gets cured, maintain the rules set aside to control any bad effects in future. Obesity Treatment for Adults Obesity symptoms for adults are much more serious than children. The first and foremost thing is that the patient must be motivated for losing weight. If neglected, obesity leads to chronic heart diseases high cholesterol and high blood pressure. People suffering from obesity can also show symptoms of sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and cancer. Exercises: Regular exercise is a good option to burn the layers of fat deposited inside the body. Certain fat burning exercises, are extremely helpful in eliminating the excess fat, that leads to obesity. Adults must follow a regular weight loss program under the guidance of an experienced trainer. Proper Diet: This is the most important aspect to consider, if you seriously want to lose weight. People who are regularly consuming food rich in fat and carbohydrate are vulnerable to obesity. Instead, supplement some healthy food items as a part of your diet. Fruits and vegetables must be replaced in place of fast foods. Drink plenty of water in a day. Along with diet, doctors often prescribe weight loss pills for obesity. Surgery: Surgery is the last option for people who are extremely obese or suffer from morbid obesity. Morbid obesity is genetic and surgery is the only means of cure. Today people go for weight loss surgery for obesity to lose the extra fat around their body. However, it's always advised, that obesity surgery should be the last option. If you are serious enough to follow these treatment options, positive results are definitely possible. However, if you observe that you are putting on weight, it's always wise to get a BMI test done. After all, 'prevention is always better than cure' Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.