Obesity is an excessive accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the body as a result of the consumption of a greater amount of food than the body's energy needs. The trend towards obesity has risen dramatically in recent years, with many children included in the percentage of obese people. This carries its risks, as obesity is associated with numerous diseases and complications, increasing the risk of cancer, stroke, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Obesity is due to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. The causes of this imbalance can be many. Unhealthy eating habits and low physical activity are at the root. Other factors can be genetic, cultural and societal. Reduced quality of sleep, taking certain medications, and disturbances in the metabolic balance are also causes.
The right individualized diet is at the forefront of dealing with excess weight, aiming for a lower energy intake than expended. Diets can vary according to individual needs and preferences. Physiotherapists, as experts in movement, can help in the fight against obesity. Physical activity can be used as an effective means of reducing weight (fat mass) and contribute to reducing the risk of many diseases.
Physical activity is any movement of our body that involves muscle activation, causing energy expenditure. This is one of the main methods of controlling body mass.
It is important to combine aerobic training with resistance training in a progressive pattern of loading according to the individual requirements. This is done based on a thorough analysis by the therapist, who finds the right activity to create and interest the patient, increasing the chance that they will maintain this activity. There is no particular physical activity that is superior to the rest, as everyone's interests are different and the stimulus would be different.
