What is obesity?
Obesity is defined as having excess body fat that increases the risk of other health problems. A person with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is generally considered obese.
Some key points about obesity:
- It's a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat that negatively impacts health.
- Obesity increases the risks of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, gout, and breathing issues.
- Genetics, lifestyle factors (like unhealthy eating and physical inactivity), certain diseases, and medications can play a role in obesity.
How do you know if you're obese?
Your doctor can check your BMI to see if you're in the obese category. They'll also do things like measure your waist circumference.
But you can get a general sense of where you fall by plugging your weight and height into an (/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adultbmi/englishbmicalculator/bmi).
What causes obesity?
There are many complicated reasons why obesity happens, including:
- Consuming more calories than your body can efficiently burn off each day over an extended period
- Leading an inactive lifestyle with little physical activity
- Genetic factors that impact hormone regulation, fat storage, and more
- Medical conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome
- Certain medications that can lead to weight gain
- Environmental factors and greater access to unhealthy food options
What are some ways to manage obesity?
- Improving your diet by reducing calories, limiting processed foods, and increasing fruits/veggies
- Increasing physical activity - aim for 150 minutes per week
- Considering weight loss medications or procedures if other methods haven't worked
- Working with trained professionals like doctors, nutritionists to develop a tailored weight loss plan
At Balance Hormone Clinic, we offer customized weight loss programs to help patients achieve long-lasting results. Our plans utilize advanced hormone testing to identify and correct hormonal imbalances that may be contributing to obesity. With an individualized mix of hormones, medications, nutrition planning, and fitness guidance, we empower patients to finally overcome stubborn excess fat. Contact us today for a consultation!