Obesity - Vitality Hormone Center

Obesity

Obesity is a complex health condition involving having an excessive amount of body fat that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems. The main causes of obesity include:

• Overeating and lack of physical activity: Consuming more calories from food and beverages than your body uses for energy leads to weight gain over time. Not engaging in enough physical activity also contributes.
• Genetics and family history: Your genes can affect the amount of body fat you store and where it's distributed. Genetics can also play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy and how your body burns calories during exercise.
• Environment and community: Easy access to high-calorie foods and lack of access to fresh fruits/vegetables can promote obesity. Cultural attitudes about body size can also affect individual habits.

How is obesity determined?

Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It's calculated using your height and weight.

• A BMI of 25‐29.9 is considered overweight
• A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese

For children and teens, BMI percentiles specific to age and sex are used. A BMI greater than the 95th percentile is considered obese.

Health risks of obesity

Excess weight can negatively impact nearly every organ system in your body and increases the risk of various health problems, including:

• Heart disease and stroke
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Some cancers
• Gallbladder disease and gallstones
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Breathing problems

Treating obesity

Losing even a modest amount of weight can improve obesity-related health complications. Treatment options include:

• Dietary changes
• Increased physical activity
• Behavioral counseling
• Prescription weight loss medications
• Weight loss (bariatric) surgery

The most effective approach involves both dietary changes and increased physical activity to promote long-term weight loss. Seeking guidance from a doctor or nutrition/health professional at Vitality Hormone Center can help create an appropriate weight loss plan for your individual health needs.