Obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of an excessive amount of body fat. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 30, you fall into the category of obesity.
Individuals who are overweight or obese face significantly higher risks of developing various health issues, including cancer, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Startlingly, over 35 percent of adults in the population, totaling 78 million adults, are affected by obesity.
Understanding the impact of obesity on overall health and well-being is crucial, and proactive measures towards weight management and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the associated health risks. At Agape Family Medical Center, we are committed to providing support, guidance, and personalized strategies to address obesity-related concerns and improve your overall health. Together, we can work towards achieving a healthier weight and reducing the risks of obesity-related health conditions.
Symptoms of obesity
The most common sign of obesity is the presence of excess fat on the body. Other health problems that obesity can cause include:
• Snoring
• Increased breathlessness
• Fatigue
• Orthopedic back and joint pain
• Inability to perform daily activities
Common related conditions
Causes of obesity
Obesity is most commonly caused by overeating and inactivity. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn through activity, you will likely gain weight. Continuing this habit over months or years can lead to obesity.
Diet
Diets high in simple carbohydrates, such as sugars, fructose, soft drinks and beer, can increase blood glucose levels, stimulate insulin production and therefore cause weight gain.
Medications
A variety of medications can cause weight gain including antidepressants, anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.
Diseases
Conditions such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance and Cushing’s syndrome can contribute to obesity.
Risk factors for obesity
Genetics — children of two obese parents are more likely to become obese as well.
Inactive lifestyle
Inactive lifestyle in combination with poor eating habits — people who lead an inactive lifestyle and regularly eat high calorie meals are more likely to become obese.
Social factors
Social factors, such as poverty, can put people at higher risk for becoming obese. People who have less income are more likely to eat high-calorie processed foods more often.
Quitting smoking
If you have recently quit smoking, you are more likely to gain weight. Nicotine increases metabolism to burn more calories.
Diagnosis of obesity
- BMI weight categories include:
| Weight category | Adults |
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 to 29.9 |
| Obese | Over 30 |
Treatment for obesity
Treatment for obesity depends on the cause of the obesity and severity of your condition. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes as a first-line therapy, and if unsuccessful, he or she may also recommend medications, behavioral weight loss treatments and/or surgery.
Healthy lifestyle changes
Your doctor may recommend specific lifestyle modifications to help you lose weight and develop healthy habits. Recommendations may include:
Healthy eating
Your doctor may recommend a healthy eating regime that is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and healthy fats. To lose weight, you should consume fewer calories than your body burns daily.
Exercise
Exercise is an integral part of a healthy weight loss plan. Your doctor will likely recommend increasing your physical activity level to lose weight.
Healthy sleep
Research shows a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and obesity. Your doctor may recommend maintaining a healthy sleep schedule in order to lose weight.
Behavioral weight-loss programs
Some patients may benefit from a structured weight loss program led by a trained healthcare professional. Behavioral weight-loss programs combine healthy diet plans, an exercise program and behavioral treatments.
Medications
If lifestyle modifications are not effective, your doctor may prescribe weight loss medications. Medications are not recommended as a stand-alone treatment for weight loss but should be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
