Check out our PPT to know how obesity affects your GI health and various lifestyle practices that you can adopt to lose your weight and improve your GI health.

1. GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES
OBESITY AND ITS ROLE IN

2. It is one of the most common health disorders in the world,
especially in the developed nations where it has reached the
epidemic proportions.
Obesity is a multi-factorial
chronic health condition that’s
characterized by the excessive
deposition of body fat (adipose
tissue) across all or certain
specific areas of the body, like
abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.
%
Obesity
It is also the 5th leading cause of death world-wide. It causes
more than 2.8 million deaths every year.
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled between
1975 and 2016, and the numbers are rapidly increasing.
In the United States alone, more than two-thirds of adults
are either obese or overweight, in which 36.5% of adults are
obese and around 32.5% of American adults are overweight.
Obesity affects children too. In America, more than 12.7 million
children have been diagnosed with childhood-related obesity.

3. How is Obesity Calculated?
Obesity is calculated by calculating a person’s Body Mass Index
(BMI) – A calculation that involves dividing a person’s weight
(in kilograms) by his or her height (in meters squared).
BMI WEIGHT STATUS
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 Normal or Healthy Weight
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
30.0 – 34.9 Obesity Class I
35 – 39.5 Obesity Class II
≥ 40 Obesity Class III
As per the CDC, the body mass index is classified as
BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²)

4. How is Obesity Calculated?
The higher your BMI, the greater your risk is of developing
obesity-related conditions.
If you have a BMI greater than 40 (class III obesity), you are
at the greatest risk.
Physicians also take a person’s waist measurement to look
for the signs of obesity. That’s because the concentration
of body fat in the abdominal region is
more prominent than fat in other parts of the body.
Having a normal or high BMI does not necessarily mean
that you do not have obesity.
Sometimes, a person with BMI less than 30 kg/m2 is
diagnosed with obesity. This happens especially in
people who accumulate more weight in the abdomen or
those who are of certain ethnic backgrounds; for example,
Chinese or Canadians with East or South Asian ancestry.

5. Depending on the area of fat deposition, obesity is classified into 3 different types:
Peripheral Obesity
Accumulation of excess fat in the hips, buttocks
and thighs
Central Obesity
Accumulation of excess fat in the abdominal area
Combination of both central and peripheral
obesity.
Types of Obesity

6. Depending on its association with other diseases, obesity is classified into:
Type-1 Obesity
It occurs due to excessive intake of calories or
due to lack of physical activity. It’s not associated
with any disease.
It is caused due to diseases like hypothyroidism,
Cushing syndrome, PCOS, and insulinoma.
Type-2 Obesity
Types of Obesity

7. Depending on the age of the person, obesity is divided into:
Adult Obesity
It happens mostly in middle age and is usually
due to poor eating habits or sedentary lifestyle.
It affects both children and adolescents. The
most common causes are genetic factors, lack
of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, or
a combination of these factors. Sometimes,
childhood obesity is due to certain hormonal
problems too.
Childhood Obesity
Types of Obesity

8. Our body needs energy to perform its daily activities. This energy comes from the food we eat. We also
burn some calories through exercise and other activities. But when our food calories amount exceeds than
what’s required by the body, it is stored in the body as fat. And the excessive accumulation of fat leads to
obesity.
The most common cited causes of obesity include:
Bad Eating Habits
People who tend to binge on junk food and high-
calorie drinks are mostly obese.
Lack of physical activity also leads to excessive
body fat.
Lack of sleep leads to hormonal imbalance, which
leads to increase in appetite.
Certain medications also lead to increase in body
weight. These include diabetes medications, steroids,
antidepressant drugs and more.
Sedentary Lifestyle Habits
Poor Sleeping Patterns
Medications
Pregnancy
Certain women find it difficult to lose weight after
childbirth.
Some diseases and syndrome, like Cushing
syndrome and hypothyroidism, lead to
accumulation of fat in the body. Such diseases
slow down the metabolic rate in the body, leading
to increase in fat deposition.
Genes too affect the amount of fat we store in the
body. For example, Non-Hispanic Black adults (49.6%)
are most prone to obesity, followed by Hispanic
adults (44.8%), non-Hispanic White adults (42.2%)
and non-Hispanic Asian adults (17.4%).
Medical Conditions
Genetics
What are the Causes of Obesity?

9. Obesity increases your chances for a large number of health complications, including:
Type 2 Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Heart Diseases
Stroke
Osteoarthritis
Gallbladder Disease
High Cholesterol &
Metabolic Syndrome
Poor Wound Healing
Sleep Apnea
Depression
Cancer
Triglycerides
Obesity & Associated Health Complications

10. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Esophageal Dysmotility
Erosive Esophagitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Biliary Disease
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a series of hollow organs that form a long continuous passage from our
mouth to our anus. It, along with liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, makes up our digestive system.
Studies have shown a direct link between
obesity and several gastrointestinal conditions
too.
These include:
Obesity & Gastrointestinal (Gi) Diseases

11. Acid reflux, or Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD), is a condition that
occurs when liquids in the stomach flow
back into the esophagus. GERD is
diagnosed when a mild acid reflux occurs
two or more times in a week, or when
moderate to severe acid reflux occurs
one or more times in a week.
The acidic fluid can irritate the
esophagus and damage its lining, often
causing inflammation and over time,
more serious health conditions.
Obesity is a well-known risk factor for
GERDs. However, it may also occur due
to Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and
connective tissue disorders.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

12. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Lifestyle factors can increase the risk of acid reflux
and GERD.
These include:
Smoking
Eating Large Meals
Eating Late at Night
Laying Down Immediately after Eating
Increased Consumption of Fatty or Fried Foods
Drinking Alcohol or Coffee
Taking Certain Medications (E.G. Aspirin)
Heartburn
Chest Pain
Regurgitating Food or Sour Liquid
Trouble Swallowing
Feeling Like There Is A Lump in Your Throat
Coughing
Laryngitis
Asthma
Sleep Disruption
GRED Symptoms

13. Complications of GERD
Peptic (Stomach) & Esophagus Ulcers
Stricture (Acid Reflux can cause the
Esophagus to Scar and Narrow)
Lung and Throat Problems
Irritation and inflammation of the vocal
cords, sore throat, aspiration pneumonia or
symptoms of asthma
Barrett’s Esophagus
Changing in the cell lining of esophagus,
causing them to turn cancerous
Esophageal Cancer
When to see a Doctor?
Shortness of breath
Multiple episodes of acid
reflux within a week
Chest pain
Pain in your jaw or arm
You must consult a doctor if you experience
GERD can lead to:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

14. Erosive Esophagitis
Erosive esophagitis is a health
complication that results from
inflammation of the Distal Esophageal
Mucosa, which is secondary to GERD.
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors
for developing erosive esophagitis, in
addition to older age, male sex, chronic
alcohol intake, chronic smoking, and a
long history of GERD.

15. Erosive Esophagitis
When to see a Doctor?
Sudden worsening chest pain
Shortness of breath, along
with fever
Blood in vomit or stool
Consult your doctor immediately if there is
Difficulty in Swallowing
Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
Burning Sensation in the Esophagus
Bleeding, seen either as Blood in Vomit or in
Stools (turning stools black or tarry)
Symptoms
Stricture
Difficulty in Swallowing
Life-Threatening Dehydration
Chest Pain
Shortness of Breath
Complications of Erosive Esophagitis

16. Diarrhea
Diarrhea occurs when bowel movements
are loose, watery, and/ or frequent. Most
people with diarrhea can be treated with
over-the-counter options. However, in
certain cases, diarrhea or its symptoms
get worse and call for medical
intervention.
Obesity or poor eating habits are
often one of the main reasons for
diarrhea too. However, it can also
occur due to viral or bacterial
infection, climate changes, traveling,
inflammatory bowel disease, celiac
disease and certain medications.

17. Diarrhea
When to see a Doctor?
Experiencing intense pain in your abdomen
You have bloody/black stools
There’s severe rectal or abdominal pain
Immediately consult your doctor if you are:
Persistent diarrhea may lead to dehydration and
electrolyte imbalance in the body, which in turn leads to:
You have fever above 102F
You are becoming dehydrated and weak
Complications
Symptoms
The symptoms of diarrhea include:
Loose, watery stools
Abdominal pain or cramps
Nausea or vomiting
Fever
Blood in stools
Weight Loss or Dehydration
Headaches
Irritability
Confusion
Increase heart rate
Fever

18. Gallstones are stone-like formations
that develop in the gallbladder. They are
made up of cholesterol, bile pigment, or
some combination of the two.
Various lifestyle factors including high-fat
diets, diets rich in red meat, low-fiber
diets and obesity are linked to the
formation of gall stones.
Researchers have found that obese
people who have higher levels of
cholesterol in their bile are more prone to
gallstones than others.
Gallstones

19. When to see a Doctor?
Experiencing intense pain in your
abdomen
Having signs of jaundice
Having high fever with chills
See a doctor if:
Its symptoms include:
Pain in the Upper Right Side of your
Abdomen
Pain in the Upper Center of your
Abdomen just below the Breastbone
Pain in the Right Shoulder
Nausea, Vomiting, and Sweating
Jaundice (Yellowing of the Skin)
Gallstones
Symptoms

20. Esophageal Cancers
Gastric Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Hepatic Cancer
Colon Cancer
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Obesity is also linked with increased risk of developing cancer. In fact, experts suggest that more than
90,000 Deaths per year from cancer can be avoided if we are able to maintain a BMI of under 25
throughout our life.
Obesity & Cancer

21. Treatment of Obesity requires long-term commitment and complete lifestyle modification. So, if you’re
overweight or at risk of obesity, you must keep a check on your unhealthy habits that are leading to
weight gain. Also, include healthy lifestyle practices like:
Regular Exercise
Try to include around 30
minutes of moderate to
high-intensity exercise
every day. It can be as
simple as brisk walking or
jogging.
Healthy Diet
Try to cut your carbs,
especially the unhealthy
ones. Eat more low-calorie
foods like fruits,
vegetables, and whole
grains. Give up on high-
calorie food choices like
fried foods, aerated drinks
and colas. Limit the
amount of sugar in your
diet and also consume
alcohol in moderation.
Weight
Management
Weigh yourself at least
once a week to ensure
you are on the right
track.
Expert Guidance
Losing weight is a complex
journey that’s filled with
challenges and road blocks. It
needs unimaginable will
power and dedication as
there’s always a risk of falling
back to old eating habits.
That’s why, it’s important to
find a plan that’s sustainable
in the long run. A registered
dietitian or fitness coach can
help you set realistic goals
and achieve them well within
the set timelines.
Prevention of Obesity

22. Obesity is a debilitating health condition
that can lead to various life-threatening
diseases. EPIC Health’s Weight Loss &
Nutrition Program can help you take
charge of your health. We have a
dedicated in-house Integrated Care Team
of registered dieticians, physicians,
exercise physiologists, and practitioners
who can create a customized weight loss
program to help you shed all those extra
pounds and regain your health and
confidence.
Epic Health Weight Loss & Nutrition Program

23. Our physicians first evaluate you to find your optimal weight according to your age, sex, and height as well as
find out all the existing health conditions that may impact your weight loss journey.
They then break your weight loss goals into smaller, attainable weekly and monthly goals.
Our dieticians chalk out a personalized diet plan, keeping your profession, food habits, level of physical activity
and current health status in mind.
Our exercise physiologists create an easy-to-follow exercise and fitness regime that will help you burn extra
calories.
Our physicians also determine if you need medical intervention to smoothen out your weight loss journey.
Our Integrated Care Team works cohesively with you to make sure you stay on track and are able to meet your
weight loss timelines.
Join EPIC Health’s Weight Management Program and allow us to help you lose weight in the most structured, safe
and scientific way. Schedule an appointment with the EPIC Advance Care Team today and make way for a healthy,
disease-free life. At EPIC, we can help you live happier, healthier and better!
Epic Health Weight Loss & Nutrition Program

24. THANK YOU
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