Obesity is a complex health condition that affects more than 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children in the United States. It occurs when a person has an unhealthy amount of body fat, typically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Obesity increases the risk for many serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and some types of cancer.
What causes obesity?
Obesity is usually caused by a combination of factors:
- Genetics - Some people are predisposed to gaining weight more easily due to their genetic makeup. However, genes alone do not cause obesity.
- Lifestyle - Sedentary behaviors like sitting too much, not exercising enough, eating high-calorie foods, drinking sugary beverages, and not getting enough sleep all contribute to weight gain over time.
- Environment - Things like limited access to healthy foods, increased portion sizes, and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods make maintaining a healthy weight more challenging.
- Medications - Certain prescription medications can cause weight gain as a side effect.
- Medical conditions - In some cases, obesity can be caused by an underlying medical condition like Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or Prader-Willi syndrome.
How is obesity diagnosed?
The most common way obesity is diagnosed is by calculating a person's BMI using their height and weight measurements. A
BMI between 25-29.9 is considered overweight, while a
BMI of 30 or higher is obese.
Waist circumference is also used to assess abdominal fat, with men over 40 inches and women over 35 inches being at higher risk. A doctor may also do lab tests like a
lipid panel or
glucose tolerance test to check for obesity-related conditions.
What are the treatment options?
Losing weight through
lifestyle changes like eating healthier, exercising more, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep is the foundation of obesity treatment. Weight loss
medications like
phentermine or
orlistat may be used as an adjunct treatment under a doctor's supervision. For morbid obesity,
bariatric surgery procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding can help patients achieve significant weight loss. Seeking counseling for
emotional eating or joining a
weight loss support group provides accountability.
At
Renew Hormone Solutions, we offer a personalized
weight loss program that addresses hormone imbalances that make losing weight difficult. Our expert physicians create customized plans that include
prescription medications,
nutritional supplements,
fitness guidance, and
behavioral counseling to help you finally shed those stubborn pounds for good! Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our results-driven obesity treatments.