6 Types Of Obesity — One-Size Treatment Does Not Fit All

Obesity is not created equally. Just as there are 14 types of breast cancer, there is a range of obesity causes. The definition of obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. And until we acknowledge the different types, it is impossible to treat them.

6 Types Of Obesity. Credit: o5com https://www.flickr.com/photos/o5com/4926092996/
6 Types Of Obesity. Credit: Flickr user o5com

First off we need a serious cultural attitude adjustment. That begins with no more stupid so-called solutions, such as:

  • All the exercise you need is to push yourself away from the table, or
  • “Eat less. Exercise more. Repeat,” or
  • Obesity is caused by not taking care of ones’ self, and
  • One person’s solution is not another’s solution.

Researchers from The University of Sheffield?in the United Kingdom have,

“Discovered that people who are categorized as being obese actually fall into one of six groups. And each type requires a unique treatment plan to accurately target its groups? common characteristics and root causes of being overweight.”

The categories and definitions?below are from this study. However the comments and research are mine.

1. “Young males who are heavy drinkers”

These guys do make an effort at being healthy like some form of exercise or not smoking or walking more than most. Their fatal flaw is alcohol. The exercise does not outweigh the calorie intake. And of course, excessive alcohol intake leads directly to inactivity.

2. “Middle aged individuals who are unhappy and anxious”

Women make up most of this group. Even though they exercise and keep their drinking in check, most are having a tough time of it with ?insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue.? These people may be comfort eaters. Or in some instances, women do have difficulty differentiating between hunger and other factors such as the fatigue.

3. “Older people who, despite living with physical health conditions, are happy”

This group is pretty much free from anxiety and depression. They would seem to have accepted some of the diseases that can come with aging: ?osteoarthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure.? These people may not have cut back on serving sizes as they age. They might eat the foods their parents ate, but with less physical activity. And eating may include going out for donuts, dessert, or ice-cream.

4. “Younger healthy females”

These are women who, just like the young obese young men, have some healthy behaviors. The difference is that they don’t drink much. Some women take a type of medication that can cause a 40-pound weight gain in a month. These are from one family of regularly prescribed anti-depressants. All doctors need do is prescribe from the other anti-depressant family.

Other women exercise regularly but tend to store fat, because what they eat doesn’t fuel their bodies well. For example, their body doesn’t burn white foods like sugar and flour. The solution is a permanent diet shift.

5. “Older affluent healthy adults”

These people suffer from the consequences of wealth. They eat out more often, consume more sugar and fat, and appreciate a range of alcoholic beverages to a greater extent. Even though they show some healthy behavior, it is not enough to counteract their poor eating habits.

6. “Individuals with very poor health”

When a person is in pain or experiencing severe fatigue, it is difficult to maintain a good diet. They are too exhausted to diet, which truly takes energy. They have the highest BMI and are ?the most financially challenged.? That puts them in a chronic state of stress, and stress causes natural steroids. It is proven that these steroids cause weight gain.

I wonder how true the statement is that obesity causes type 2 diabetes? There are plenty of normal weight people with the disease. And is what people eat rather than obesity the cause of heart disease and stroke?

Let’s not accept statements about obesity without question. Let’s not accept the advertisers’ thin body ideal as ours. Let’s not accept culture’s attitude toward obesity.