Obesity impacts six health groups differently: UK Study

A study by British health experts has identified six different types of obese people, arguing that tailored treatment of such cases according to the type might prove more efficient in countering obesity.

In the study, conducted by a Sheffield University-led team, the researchers broke down those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more into specific groups: Healthy young female, male heavy drinkers, unhappy and anxious middle-aged, affluent and healthy elderly, physically ailing but happy elderly, and those with the poorest health, The Guardinan reported Saturday citing the Journal of Public Health.

The BMI is based a person’s height and weight, and anyone with a rating of 30 or above is officially classified as obese. As a system of measurement, however, theBMI does not take into account demography or an individual’s health or behavior, the report notes.

The study, the report states, used self-reported data from over 4,000 people between the ages of 16 and 85, collected in the 2010-12 wave of the still continuing Yorkshire Health Study.

According to the research, targeting obese individuals using distinct approaches for each group, could be a better application of inadequate funds budgeted for dealing with obesity.

“Policies designed to tackle obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles often target individuals just because they are obese. We are all different and different health approaches work for different people,” said Mark Green of Sheffield University’s school of health and social research.

He further added, “In the future, we hope that GPs (General Practitioners) will keep in mind these six groups when offering advice to their patients.”

Health considerations included chronic conditions such as fatigue, pain, insomnia, depression, heart disease, arthritis, stroke or cancer. Wellbeing was measured, as well such behavior as whether the person smoked, how much they drank per week and whether they walked for more than an hour a week.

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