Studies show that obesity is slightly more prevalent in women compared to men. According to the research published in World Obesity Atlas 2022, 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 7 men are likely to be obese by the year 2030. Obesity gives rise to many diseases and thus affects numerous aspects of a woman’s life and degrades her health gradually. Intermittent fasting is by far an effective treatment for obesity. Intermittent fasting (IF) combined with a calorie-restricted diet has produced more fruitful and sustainable results in terms of weight loss.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is defined as an abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat in the human body. Obesity is caused when a body stores more calories than it releases via physical activity or diet. There could be many reasons why a person becomes obese.
Some of the most common reasons are-
- Not taking regular meals
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Consuming junk food more often
- Certain medication
- Lack of an exercise routine
- Genetic Disorders
Health Impact of Obesity on Women
Obesity affects certain vital areas of women’s lives. It can cause diseases such as-
● PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a lifestyle disorder causing an imbalance in hormones. Women with this condition face complications in childbearing.
● Infertility
Women face difficulty in conceiving a child in such cases.
● Other diseases
This relates to heart conditions, diabetes, breast cancer, and more.
● Gestational Diabetes
It is diabetes developed far during the gestation period. It can affect both the mother and child.
● Sleep Apnea
● Gestational hypertension
High blood pressure during the advanced stages of pregnancy.
● Preeclampsia
Heightened protein passage via urine, increased blood pressure, and disturbed organ function leading to seizures are some symptoms of the disease.
What is Intermittent Fasting (IF)?
Intermittent fasting is a weight loss technique in which one alternates between fasting and maintaining a healthy diet on a regular basis. Experts suggest that when a body is in a fasting state for 10 to 16 hours a day, it begins to consume energy-stored fats for sustenance.
Unlike the other diet routines, Intermittent fasting prescribes the best time to eat and when to refrain from food completely.
Intermittent fasting works when the body breaks down and uses the energy stored from the last meal. The fasting period is prolonged, thus compelling the body to turn to accumulated fat for energy.
How Intermittent Fasting Improves Obese Women’s Health?
So far, we have learned about Obesity and its varied health impacts on Women. Now, We will take a quick glance into how to reduce weight using the Intermittent Fasting method.
Intermittent fasting increases a deficiency of Calories in two main ways. Firstly, it creates a reduction in fresh intake, and it also makes the body utilize stored fats for energy, thus decreasing the body’s reserves.
Intermittent fasting for obesity treatment is one of the most followed techniques. However, it is vitally important to monitor calorie intake during the remaining hours during which you are eating. The results produced by experiments conducted by scientists suggest that people, in general, are more likely to lose 2-6 kgs of weight during a period of 1 month adhering to the regimen.
There are many proven benefits of Intermittent Fasting. When a woman is on a journey to reduce weight, she often feels lightheaded and motivated to start with some form of physical activity as well. They feel a boost in their confidence and thus reap psychological benefits as well. Several illnesses like the ones we mentioned above can be prevented and also reversed. A woman can enjoy a more regular menstrual cycle and hence avoid mood swings, depression, or anxiety.
Unlike other dieting methods, Intermittent fasting does not cause any loss in muscle mass. Thus, it does not lead to unhealthy weight loss that weakens the body and invites further diseases.
Bottomline
As we move forward to a more relaxed and laid-back kind of lifestyle, with groceries being delivered to our doorsteps, we are getting more prone to weight gain. And thus more susceptible to painful illnesses. Therefore, there is a need to create a healthier lifestyle for ourselves.
If you wish to, there are several ways to embark on your journey to a healthy self. And intermittent fasting could surely be your thing.
