Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. The most common way to determine if someone is obese is by calculating their body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
Obesity is usually caused by a combination of factors:
- Genetics - Some people inherit a tendency to gain weight easily. Genes can directly cause obesity in disorders like Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Lifestyle - Not being physically active and eating an unhealthy diet high in calories can lead to weight gain over time. This is especially true if these habits start at a young age.
- Environment - Our surroundings can promote obesity if healthy foods are unavailable or expensive. Similarly, environments that restrict physical activity promote weight gain.
There are many health risks associated with obesity, including:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Breathing problems
- Joint problems
- Fatty liver disease
This increased disease risk results from
excess fat stored in the body. Fat cells release hormones and other substances that impair the body's normal functioning and trigger inflammation.
Treating obesity focuses on lifestyle changes:
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, and fiber
- Reducing intake of sugary beverages, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats
- Increasing physical activity - aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
- Making behavioral changes to control emotional or mindless eating
- In some cases, medication or weight loss surgery
Losing just
5-10% of current weight can dramatically lower disease risk. Prevention is key - maintaining a healthy lifestyle from childhood helps avoid obesity. Small sustainable changes in diet and activity add up over time!