Obesity self-care

Author: Li Liukun, Wang Guohua (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-02-01
Features: The transition from the era of hunger to the era of abundance has brought about a significant change. The once common "skinny and bony" group has gradually disappeared, replaced by a large "obesity army." In medicine, obesity is defined as a condition where caloric intake exceeds the body's expenditure, leading to fat storage and an increase in body weight by more than 20% of the standard weight, which is termed obesity or metabolic syndrome. A weight increase of 10% or more is classified as being overweight. Obesity can also be calculated using the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is body weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m2). A BMI over 24, regardless of gender, is considered obesity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is also referred to as obesity syndrome. Obesity is a common and prevalent disease that severely threatens human health, classified as a metabolic disorder with an increasing incidence rate year by year. Studies have shown that obesity not only causes inconvenience in movement, affecting daily life, work, and studies, but also significantly increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperviscosity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, gout, cholelithiasis, osteoarticular diseases, and conditions like amenorrhea, uterine fibroids, and endometrial cancer in obese patients compared to the general population. Therefore, preventing and treating obesity to improve public health has become an urgent issue for healthcare workers. This book provides a concise explanation of the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity, clinical manifestations, common complications, examination and diagnostic methods, and integrates the latest concepts and advancements in obesity prevention and treatment both domestically and internationally. From a scientific and practical perspective, it focuses on introducing various treatment and conditioning methods, as well as preventive measures, including dietary management, exercise, Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, single-prescription formulas, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, psychological approaches, and Qigong. The text is written in an accessible and easy-to-understand manner, making it suitable for (a wide range of obese patients and grassroots healthcare workers).