Dietary management for obesity

Author: Chen Huizhong, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: This book is divided into three parts, covering general medical knowledge related to obesity, dietary recommendations and precautions for obesity, and dietary conditioning for obesity. Parts two and three are the main focus. The dietary conditioning methods introduced in this book are characterized by convenient material sourcing, simplicity, ease of implementation, safety, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. If appropriate methods are chosen based on the condition and consistently used, they will undoubtedly yield good effects in preventing and treating obesity. The writing style is clear, easy to understand, and highly practical. This book is suitable for both patients and their families to read, as well as for primary healthcare professionals as a reference.
Obesity refers to a condition where excessive calorie intake leads to an increase in fat tissue, resulting in a body weight exceeding the standard weight by more than 20%. For individuals over 30, an increase in body fat percentage is common, with males potentially exceeding 25% of their body weight and females exceeding 30%. Obesity can be classified into simple obesity and secondary obesity based on its causes. The former is often caused by excessive dietary energy intake, while the latter may result from hypothalamic or endocrine disorders. Mild obesity usually shows no symptoms, while moderate to severe obesity may present with symptoms such as shortness of breath after exercise, palpitations, increased appetite, and difficulty in movement. It is often accompanied by hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and gallstones, making it a common and prevalent condition that threatens the health and longevity of the elderly.
The most important measures for preventing and treating obesity include:
1. Regular physical exercise to increase energy expenditure;
2. Dietary control, ensuring the body receives adequate protein and nutrients while creating a negative energy balance between intake and expenditure, leading to gradual weight loss and ultimately achieving a standard weight.