The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that over one third of adults in the United States are obese. This epidemic puts obese adults at risk for serious diseases and health conditions.
What causes obesity?
Weight gain is often caused by regularly eating more calories than are burned through activity and exercise. Other causes include:
- Inactive lifestyle
- Diet high in calories and fat
- Lack of sleep
- Genetics
- Aging
- Medical conditions
What health conditions are related to obesity?
Obesity can lead to serious health conditions and diseases, including:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Cancer (breast, colon and endometrial)
- Fatty liver disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Infertility
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
How do you treat obesity?
Your doctor can help you choose a treatment option that will work best for your condition and weight loss goals. Your doctor may recommend that you also work with a dietitian, therapist or other professionals in the health care field to help reach your weight loss goals.
Obesity Treatment Options
Lifestyle and behavior changes, such as making improvements to your diet and becoming more active can help lower weight. Talk to your primary care provider. Your provider may refer you to a dietitian.
Your doctor may prescribe a weight loss medication in combination with healthy eating and exercise plans. Weight loss medications are only used if you have a BMI of 27 or higher, have obesity-related health issues, and other weight loss methods have not been effective.
Your doctor will only recommend weight loss surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or higher, or have a BMI of 35-39.9 and a serious obesity-related health issue.
