Obesity

What is obesity?

Obesity is a complex health condition involving weight that is much higher than what is considered healthy or normal for a person's height and age. Obesity occurs when a person has an excessive accumulation of body fat.

There are several key factors that contribute to obesity:

• Overeating and unhealthy diet - Consuming too many calories from foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can lead to weight gain over time. Eating larger portions and frequent snacking on unhealthy foods contributes.


• Lack of physical activity - A sedentary lifestyle with little regular exercise burns fewer calories and can cause fat accumulation.


• Genetics and family history - Some people inherit a predisposition to gain weight and have a slower metabolism. Obesity tends to run in families.


• Medical conditions - In some cases, medical conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome can contribute to weight gain and obesity.


• Medications - Certain prescription medications used to treat conditions like depression, diabetes, and seizures may cause weight gain as a side effect.

The health risks of obesity are serious. Carrying excessive body fat puts strain on the heart and increases chances of developing conditions like:

• Type 2 diabetes


• High blood pressure


• Heart disease and strokes


• Certain cancers


• Gallbladder disease


• Osteoarthritis


• Breathing issues like sleep apnea

Fortunately, obesity can often be improved through lifestyle changes like adopting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and making small sustainable adjustments to burn more calories than consumed. In difficult cases, medications or even bariatric surgery may help.

Obesity is complex, but help is available. Reach out to your doctor or clinics like Hormone Solutions if you have concerns about unhealthy weight gain and want to improve your well-being. Even small positive lifestyle adjustments can start making a real difference.