Obesity is a complex chronic disease involving an excessive amount of body fat that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems. Obesity is generally caused by consuming more calories than the body burns through activity and normal daily functions. There are several factors that may contribute to obesity, including genetic, behavioral, environmental, cultural, socioeconomic, and metabolic influences.
Obesity occurs when a person's body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. BMI is a measurement that uses both height and weight to estimate body fat. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9. Morbid obesity is a BMI over 40. Obesity raises the risks of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain cancers.
Some of the leading causes and risk factors for obesity include:
- Calorie imbalance - Consuming high-calorie foods and beverages while not burning enough calories through activity and exercise leads to weight gain over time.
- Genetics - Some individuals inherit a predisposition to gain weight due to slower metabolisms. Genes can directly cause obesity in rare cases of genetic disorders.
- Lifestyle choices - Physical inactivity, poor diet, oversized food portions, and increased snacking and fast food consumption.
- Medical causes - Conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression, and certain prescription drugs can induce weight gain.
- Environmental factors - Easy access to high-calorie processed and fast foods combined with sedentary lifestyles promotes obesity.
- Psychological factors - Binge eating, emotional eating, and stress eating are examples of conditions that may lead to overeating and obesity.
Some of the common health consequences associated with obesity include:
- Type 2 diabetes - Excess weight stresses the body's ability to properly use insulin to regulate blood sugar.
- High blood pressure - Extra weight requires the heart to pump harder, increasing blood pressure.
- Heart disease and strokes - Being overweight strains the cardiovascular system and arteries.
- Certain cancers - Obesity increases the risk of cancers like breast, colon, kidney, and esophagus.
- Sleep apnea - Excess fat in the neck area can induce this dangerous sleep disorder.
- Osteoarthritis - Extra weight places additional pressure on joints, causing cartilage breakdown.
- Fatty liver disease - Obesity leads to fat deposits and inflammation in the liver.
Losing just 5-10% of your current weight can provide meaningful health benefits! Visit our friends at Balance Hormone Clinic to learn about safe and effective medical weight loss options to get your health back on track. Their team of compassionate doctors and staff can help you achieve realistic weight loss goals through hormone optimization, prescription appetite suppressants, nutrition planning, and lifestyle changes. Don't wait - take control of your health today!