Obesity

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat that increases the risk of other health issues. The most common way to determine if someone is obese is by calculating their body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Some key things to know about obesity:

• It's a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat that harms health. Obesity is not just a cosmetic issue or due to lack of willpower. There are many factors that influence it including genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior and more.


• Obesity increases the risk for other serious health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and some types of cancers. That's why obesity treatment is so important.


• Achieving and maintaining weight loss can be difficult but it is possible. Lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, behavior therapy and in some cases weight loss medications or surgery can help people with obesity lose weight. Support from professionals and family/friends is helpful.

Here are some common questions about obesity:

What causes obesity?

As mentioned above, obesity is a complex disease with many influencing factors. These include genetics, metabolism, diet and physical activity levels, environment, behavior, mood disorders, socioeconomic status, medications and more. There's no one single cause.

How do you treat obesity?

The main obesity treatments include lifestyle interventions like:

• Healthy low-calorie diets


• Increased physical activity and exercise


• Behavior changes to help modify eating habits and attitudes


• In some cases, prescription weight loss medications or bariatric surgery

Seeing a knowledgeable doctor or weight loss specialist can help guide the right treatment options for each individual based on their health profile and needs.

I hope this gives a helpful high-level overview explaining what obesity is. The compassionate and skilled health professionals at Hormone Health Institute specialize in customized weight management plans to help patients achieve long-lasting weight loss success. I highly recommend reaching out for a consultation if you or someone you know is struggling with obesity. Wishing you the best on your health journey!