Obesity is characterized by an excess accumulation of weight or body fat, posing potential health risks. Typically, a doctor diagnoses obesity based on an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI).
BMI serves as a tool for healthcare professionals to evaluate whether a person’s weight aligns with their age, sex, and height. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
A BMI falling between 25 and 29.9 indicates excess weight, while a BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. Additionally, factors like waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and fat distribution also influence the assessment of one’s weight and health.
Obesity can elevate the risk of various health conditions, including metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and certain cancers. Metabolic syndrome includes a range of conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise or shedding excess weight can reduce or prevent obesity-related health issues. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Symptoms of Obesity
Symptoms of obesity are not typically distinct. However, healthcare professionals may diagnose obesity based on the following criteria:
- Excessive accumulation of abdominal (visceral) fat compared to other body areas.
- Waist circumference exceeding 40 inches in men or 35 inches in women.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30.
Classification of Obesity
The following classes are used for adults who are at least 20 years old
| BMI | Class |
| 18.5 or under | underweight |
| 18.5 to <25 | “normal” weight |
| 25 to <30 | overweight |
| 30 to <35 | class 1 obesity |
| 35 to <40 | class 2 obesity |
| 40 or over | class 3 obesity (also known as morbid, extreme, or severe obesity) |
What is Child Obesity?
Childhood obesity refers to the condition where a child over the age of 2, including teenagers, has a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile. This means their BMI exceeds that of 95% of individuals of the same age and sex assigned at birth.
What Causes Obesity?
Consuming more calories than you expend through daily activities and exercise over an extended period can result in obesity. Over time, these surplus calories accumulate, leading to weight gain.
However, obesity is not solely determined by calorie intake and expenditure or leading a sedentary lifestyle. While these factors contribute to obesity, there are also causes beyond one’s control.
Common specific causes of obesity include:
- Aging: With age, individuals tend to experience a decrease in muscle mass and a slower metabolic rate, making weight gain more likely.
- Inadequate sleep: Insufficient sleep can disrupt hormonal balance, increasing hunger and cravings for high-calorie foods.
- Genetics: Genetic factors influence how your body processes food into energy and stores fat.
- Pregnancy: Weight gained during pregnancy may be challenging to shed postpartum, potentially leading to obesity over time.
- High stress: Stress can stimulate the production of hormones that promote overeating and fat storage.
Health Conditions that Trigger Obesity
Various health conditions can contribute to weight gain, potentially leading to obesity. These conditions include:
- Metabolic syndrome: A collection of risk factors, including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, increased triglyceride levels, reduced HDL cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat, which raise the risk of developing serious health problems.
- Cushing syndrome: A condition resulting from elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body.
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): A condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient hormones, leading to a sluggish metabolism.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal imbalance disorder characterized by high levels of androgens.
- Prader-Willi syndrome: A rare congenital disorder characterized by insatiable hunger.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) and other conditions causing chronic pain, which may result in decreased physical activity levels.
Risk Factors
A variety of factors can contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to obesity.
Genetics
Certain individuals possess genetic predispositions that increase their likelihood of gaining weight and accumulating body fat.
Environment and Community
The surroundings at home, school, and within one’s community can impact dietary habits, physical activity levels, and overall lifestyle choices.
Factors such as residing in neighborhoods with limited access to nutritious foods or abundant high-calorie options like fast-food establishments, lacking cooking skills for preparing balanced meals, financial constraints hindering access to healthier food options, and insufficient recreational spaces for outdoor activities can elevate the risk of obesity.
Psychological and Other Influences
Conditions such as depression may lead to weight gain as some individuals may turn to food for emotional solace. Disrupted sleep patterns can prompt increased consumption of high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods.
Additionally, quitting smoking, while beneficial for health, may result in weight gain for some individuals, necessitating a focus on diet and exercise during the cessation process.
Medications
Certain medications can heighten the risk of weight gain, including corticosteroids used to treat autoimmune disorders, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers prescribed for hypertension management.
What are the Complications of Obesity?
Obesity poses more than just weight-related consequences.
Excessive body fat relative to muscle mass imposes strain on both bones and internal organs, while also promoting inflammation in the body, potentially increasing the risk of cancer. Additionally, obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have established correlations between obesity and various health complications, some of which can be severe if left untreated and they include:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- High cholesterol levels
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Certain cancers (including breast, colon, and endometrial)
- Infertility
- Arthritis
- Sleep apnea and other respiratory issues
How can you Prevent Obesity?
With the surge in obesity and obesity-related ailments, various entities including communities, states, and the federal government are prioritizing healthier food options and physical activities to prevent obesity and address overweight and obesity issues.
Individually, you can contribute to preventing weight gain and obesity by:
- Engaging in regular moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, or biking for 20 to 30 minutes daily.
- Adopting a balanced, heart-healthy diet rich in nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
- Consuming high-calorie foods and those high in saturated and trans fats in moderation.
Check out: How to Safely Cut down Calories
How is Obesity Treated?
If you’re struggling to lose weight despite efforts on your own, seeking medical assistance is an option. You can start by consulting with a primary care physician, who may refer you to a weight specialist in your vicinity.
Your doctor may also suggest collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to support your weight loss journey, which could include a dietitian, therapist, or other healthcare professionals.
Together with your doctor, you’ll work on implementing necessary lifestyle modifications. In some instances, medications or weight loss surgery may be recommended as well. It’s important to explore various treatment options for obesity.
For children with obesity, doctors typically advise lifestyle and behavioral changes to aid in weight loss. In certain cases, medication may also be prescribed.