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 most commonly used tool to estimate obesity is the body mass index (BMI), which measures a person's weight in relation to their height. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
Obesity happens over time when you consume more calories than you burn through activity and normal bodily functions. What causes someone to become obese differs from person to person - it may involve a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental, emotional, and other factors that influence eating and exercise habits.
Some key facts about obesity:
- It affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities
- Roughly 40% of adults in the United States are considered obese
- Obesity increases the likelihood of diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer
- Losing just 5-10% of body weight can lead to important health benefits like lower blood pressure and reduced diabetes risk
So how do you treat obesity? There are many options, but most focus on lifestyle changes to promote
healthy eating, exercise, and an overall
calorie deficit to lose weight. Anti-obesity medications and even bariatric surgery may be considerations as well.
If you feel you may be struggling with
obesity or weight management, don't hesitate to speak to your doctor. They can check your
BMI and refer you to nutritional, fitness, or medical resources as needed.
For example,
New Beginnings HRT Clinic specializes in customized
weight loss hormone therapy programs that target the hormonal imbalances that often contribute to obesity. Their knowledgeable doctors and staff provide compassionate care, aiming to understand the unique factors leading to your weight gain and create tailored treatment plans involving bioidentical hormones, nutrition plans, fitness guidance and more to help patients achieve long-term results.
I hope this gives a helpful overview explaining what obesity is. The key is realizing it's a complex condition requiring customized solutions through lifestyle changes, sometimes medicine, and help from caring medical professionals focused on your health and wellbeing. With the right support, overcoming obesity is possible - your first step is talking to an understanding doctor.