Obesity Clinic

Body mass index (BMI) is a formula that computes an individual's weight and height to determine their body size.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify adult obesity as having a BMI of 30.0 or higher (CDC).

Obesity raises the risk of developing major conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Obesity is widespread. According to the CDC, in the years between 2017 and 2018, 42.4 per cent of Americans aged 20 and older were obese.

BMI isn't everything, though. Its limitations as a metric are numerous. The association between BMI and body fat can be influenced by variables like age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass, according to the CDC. Additionally, the BMI makes no distinction between extra fat, muscle mass, or bone density and offers no insight into how fat is distributed among people.

Despite these drawbacks, BMI is still frequently employed as a tool for determining body size.

What causes obesity?

Growing older can result in less muscle mass and a slower metabolic rate, making it easier to gain weight. Not getting enough sleep may result in hormonal changes that make you feel more hungry and crave certain high-calorie foods. During pregnancy, weight gain may be difficult to lose and may eventually result in obesity.

A number of medical disorders can also cause weight increase, which can then result in obesity. These comprise:

1. An imbalance in female reproductive hormones is brought on by the illness known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
2. Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare illness that causes insatiable appetite from birth.
3. High cortisol (the stress hormone) levels can lead to Cushing syndrome, a medical disorder.
4. Underactive thyroid disease, or hypothyroidism, causes the thyroid gland to underproduce several critical hormones.
5. Osteoarthritis (OA) and other ailments that cause pain may make people less active.

How is obesity diagnosed?

A person's weight in relation to their height is roughly calculated using their BMI.

Additional, more precise methods of calculating body fat and body fat distribution include:

1. Testing for skinfold thickness
2. Comparisons of hips to waist
3. Screening procedures such as MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds

In order to diagnose the health concerns associated with obesity, your doctor might also recommend a few tests. These may consist of:

1. Blood tests to measure glucose and cholesterol levels
2. Testing for liver function
3. A diabetes examination
4. Thyroid exams
5. Cardiac examinations, like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Your risk for obesity-related diseases can also be accurately predicted by measuring the amount of fat around your waist.

What are the complications of obesity?

Weight increase is not the only effect of obesity. Your internal organs and bones are put under stress when you have a high body fat-to-muscle ratio. Additionally, it causes the body to become more inflammatory, which is known to be a risk factor for cancer. Type 2 diabetes is also greatly influenced by obesity.

Obesity has been associated with a number of health issues, some of which can be fatal if untreated:

1. Type 2 diabetes
2. Heart disease
3. High blood pressure
4. Certain cancers (breast, colon, and endometrial)
5. Stroke
6. Gallbladder disease
7. Fatty liver disease
8. High cholesterol
9. Sleep apnea and other breathing problems
10. Arthritis
11. Infertility

How is obesity treated?

If you are obese and have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight on your own, medical assistance is available. Consult your healthcare physician first; he or she may be able to direct you to a local weight expert.

Along with you, your doctor might wish to form a weight loss support group. A dietician, therapist, or other members of the medical community may be on that team.

In order to improve your lifestyle, your doctor will work with you. On occasion, they might also advise using certain drugs or having weight loss surgery. Learn more about obesity treatment options.