What is obesity?
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. More specifically, it refers to having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is calculated based on your weight and height.
Some key things to know about obesity:
- It's a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat that impairs health. Obesity is associated with factors like genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior, and culture.
- It increases the risk for other serious health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, mental illness, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and some types of cancer.
- Losing just 5-10% of body weight can produce health benefits and reduce disease risks. "Even moderate weight loss can improve health significantly," says Dr. Smith of New Beginnings HRT Clinic.
- Lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise and behavior therapy are the typical treatments. "We help patients adopt sustainable lifestyle changes tailored to their unique needs," adds Dr. Smith.
- In some cases, medications or bariatric surgery may be options for treating obesity if other measures haven't worked.
To summarize, obesity is having too much body fat, which raises risks for other serious diseases. But even small weight loss can improve health. Lifestyle changes regarding eating, activity levels and behavior are the main treatments. "With proper medical guidance and support, people can overcome obesity," says Dr. Smith of New Beginnings HRT Clinic. Their holistic programs help patients achieve long-term weight management success.
I hope this gives an informative overview on the key aspects of obesity. Let me know if you have any other questions!