Obesity

Overview

Obesity is when a person has abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may lead to other health issues. It develops from multiple factors – poor eating habits and physical inactivity are the most common starting points, often leading to hormonal imbalances that worsen weight gain.

Obesity causes

The most frequent contributors to obesity include:

• Diets high in processed foods and sugary beverages
• Large portion sizes
• Limited physical activity
• Lack of education about nutrition and exercise

Other causes include:

• Genetics: Influences metabolism and fat storage
• Medications: Corticosteroids, antidepressants and others can promote weight gain
• Medical conditions: Hypothyroidism, insulin resistance and Cushing’s syndrome

Obesity risk factors

Several factors increase how likely a person is to develop obesity.

Family history

Perhaps the strongest predictor of obesity is family history. Genetics are a massive factor, but lifestyle choices also contribute. Growing up in a household with specific patterns of eating and certain activity levels, combined with being genetically predisposed to have a slower metabolism and greater fat accumulation, makes family history such a strong predictor of obesity.

Poor diet and movement patterns

Poor dietary patterns like frequent consumption of fast food and sugary drinks, in tandem with a lack of physical activity, significantly increase risk.

Stress, inadequate sleep and certain medical conditions

Stress, sleep and medical conditions directly affect how a body sends signals about appetite and how it stores fat. Being in a high-stress state for long periods of time can lead to the body storing more fat than it would in a low-stress state. Lack of sleep can also lead to a similar result.

Certain conditions like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome can also predispose individuals to obesity.

Obesity symptoms

The most common symptom of obesity is excess fat on the body. Significant waist circumference beyond one’s natural bone structure is one way to visually see this.

Other various health problems that can be caused by obesity include:

• Shortness of breath during activity and snoring while sleeping
• Joint pain due to added weight on bones and musculature
• Decreased self-esteem, and in some cases, depression or anxiety

Obesity diagnosis

To clinically diagnose obesity, a physician will look at your medical history to search for any signs of predisposition before calculating your BMI. They will next measure the size of your waist, and in some cases, order other tests to rule out other medical conditions. Blood tests may be ordered to test for elevated blood sugar, cholesterol or fluctuating hormone levels.

The CDC defines various degrees of obesity using BMI as follows:

Obesity treatment

Considering how many various components go into causing obesity, treating it properly requires an approach that covers many different aspects.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are the foundation of obesity treatment. These include adopting a balanced diet rich in whole foods, reducing intake of processed foods and sugary beverages as well as practicing portion control.

On top of practicing better food intake management, regular physical activity combined with a focus on improving sleep helps regulate metabolism and support weight loss.

Behavioral counseling may also be beneficial for some to address eating patterns and emotional triggers.

Medical intervention

When lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, physicians may prescribe medications approved for weight management. These drugs work by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness or altering how the body absorbs fat.

Medication is often used in conjunction with diet and exercise, and under close medical supervision to monitor side effects and effectiveness.

Bariatric surgery

For individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health complications, bariatric surgery may be considered.

Common procedures include:

• Gastric banding
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Duodenal switch surgery
• SADI-S surgery

These surgeries reduce stomach size or alter digestion to limit food intake and nutrient absorption.

Bariatric surgery requires long-term follow-up and commitment to lifestyle changes to maintain results.

When to seek care

You should seek care for obesity when symptoms like persistent fatigue, difficulty breathing, joint pain and/or mental health issues arise. If your BMI has reached 30 or greater, speaking with a health care provider can help prevent serious long-term complications like diabetes, heart disease or hypertension.