What is obesity?
Obesity is a complex health condition involving an excessive accumulation of body fat that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems. The main causes of obesity include:
- Overeating - Consuming more calories from food and drinks than the body can efficiently burn off leads to weight gain over time. This can be driven by factors like large portion sizes, high-calorie processed foods, and overindulgence in sugary drinks.
- Lack of physical activity - Not getting enough exercise to balance out the calories consumed. A sedentary lifestyle promotes weight gain.
- Genetics and family history - Some people inherit a predisposition to gain weight and have a slower metabolism. Obesity tends to run in families.
So how do you know if you are obese? Here are the key criteria:
- Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are considered obese
- BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight
- BMI is calculated based on your weight and height
"An issue your physician can certainly help you address is the threat excess weight poses to your good health," says Dr. Sam Richards of Hormone Health Center. "Our personalized programs combine nutrition planning, fitness guidance, and when appropriate, hormone therapy to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss and reduce obesity-related illness."
What are some of the major health consequences of obesity?
- Heart disease and stroke - Excess weight strains the cardiovascular system and increases disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Diabetes - Obesity promotes insulin resistance which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Cancer - Several types of cancers are more common among people with obesity, especially colon, breast, uterine, pancreatic, kidney and gallbladder cancers.
- Osteoarthritis - Extra weight wears down the cartilage that protects and cushions joints. Joint pain and stiffness results.
- Reproductive issues - Obesity can lead to complications with menstruation, getting pregnant, and pregnancy.
In conclusion, obesity is a serious chronic disease in its own right, not just a lifestyle issue. Its prevalence has tripled globally since 1975. Achieving long-term weight reduction requires commitment to permanent lifestyle changes - both eating less and being more physically active. For some people, anti-obesity drugs and surgery may be necessary components of treatment.