Obesity is an epidemic in the U.S. This condition puts people at a higher risk for serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that more than one-third of American adults (34.9 percent) and 17 percent (12.7 million) of American children and teens are clinically obese.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is a calculation that takes a person’s weight and height into account. However, BMI does have some limitations. According to the CDC, “Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body fat. Also, BMI does not distinguish between excess fat, muscle, or bone mass, nor does it provide any indication of the distribution of fat among individuals.” Despite these limitations, BMI continues to be widely used as an indicator of excess weight.
Eating more calories than you burn in daily activity and exercise (on a long-term basis) causes obesity. Over time, these extra calories add up, and cause you to gain weight.
Common specific causes of obesity include:
Certain medical conditions may also lead to weight gain. These include:
A complex mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors can increase a person’s risk for obesity.
Some people possess genetic factors that make it difficult for them to lose weight.
Your environment at home, at school, and in your community can all influence how and what you eat and how active you are. Maybe you have not learned to cook healthy meals, or do not think you can afford healthier foods. If your neighborhood is unsafe, maybe you have not found a good place to play, walk, or run.
Depression can sometimes lead to weight gain, as an individual turns to food for emotional comfort.
Quitting smoking is a good thing, but quitting can also lead to weight gain, so it is important to focus on diet and exercise while you are quitting.
Medications such as steroids and certain antidepressants or birth control pills can also put you at greater risk for weight gain.
Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more. Body mass index is a rough calculation of a person’s weight in relation to their height.
Other more accurate measures of body fat and body fat distribution include skinfold thickness, waist-to-hip comparisons, and screening tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Your doctor may also order certain tests to help diagnose obesity as well as obesity-related health risks. These may include blood tests to examine cholesterol and glucose levels, liver function tests, diabetes screen, thyroid tests, and heart tests, such as an electrocardiogram. A measurement of the fat around your waist is also a good predictor of risk for obesity-related diseases.
Obesity leads to much more than simple weight gain. Having a high ratio of body fat to muscle puts strain on your bones as well as your internal organs. It also increases inflammation in the body, which is thought to be a cause of cancer. Obesity is also a major cause of type 2 diabetes.
Obesity has been linked to a number of health complications, some of which are life-threatening:
If you are obese and have not been able to lose weight on your own, medical help is available. Start with your family physician, they may be able to refer you to a weight specialist in your area. Your doctor may also want to work with you as a team to help you lose weight, along with a dietitian, therapist, and other healthcare staff.
Your doctor will work with you on making lifestyle changes. Sometimes, they may recommend medications or weight loss surgery as well.
Help prevent weight gain by making good lifestyle choices. Aim for moderate exercise (walking, swimming, biking) for 20 to 30 minutes every day.
Eat well by choosing nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Eat high-fat, high-calorie foods in moderation.
