Obesity is a chronic disease in which a person weighs at least 20 percent more than what is healthy for their height and body shape. Obesity is measured through a scale called the body mass index, or BMI, which is a ratio of height-to-weight.
When someone is obese, they have an accumulation of excess fat that will often negatively influence physical and mental aspects of their health. The excess body weight comes from the build-up of fat, often in specific areas of the body. When fat builds up around the stomach, it is called “visceral” fat. The health risks associated with obesity vary depending on where the build-up of fat sits.
Measuring Obesity
The goal of the body mass index scale is to determine a person’s weight level and thereby their risk for obesity related illnesses. The scale uses basic calculations to gauge a person’s body size based on information about their gender, height and weight.
The BMI scale is as follows:
- 18.5 to 24.9 is a healthy weight range
- 25.0 to 29.9 are overweight
- 30.0 or higher is obese
You can use our BMI calculator to check your own BMI. Having a BMI greater than 30 will increase your risk for obesity-related health concerns, like sleep apnea, heart disease and type-2 diabetes. The longer you struggle with obesity, the greater your risk for developing an obesity-related disease becomes.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity is caused by a collection of factors that work together in contributing to weight gain. Obesity is not an issue that develops suddenly. Weight gain starts slowly, gradually building over the course of years.
Many people who struggle with obesity as adults began struggling with their weight as children. The longer someone is obese or overweight, the more difficult it becomes to manage excess weight through conventional methods. Successful, long-term weight management requires making permanent changes to the habits and behaviors that influence weight gain.
Factors that increase your risk for obesity include:
- Poor dietary habits
- Frequent overeating
- Family history of obesity
- Lack of physical activity
Cultural and environmental influences often contribute to weight gain by encouraging sedentary behavior and making unhealthy food choices readily available for overconsumption.
Suggested Reading
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
Ten Reasons You Should Lose Weight
Bariatric Surgery Can Help You to Fight Obesity
Also In This Section
- Bariatric Surgery May Restore Monthly Cycles in Obese Women
- Bariatric Surgery May Prevent Heart-Related Incidents
- For Diabetes, Surgery a Better Option than Standard Treatment
- Help Cholesterol by Losing Weight
- Speaking With Your Physician May Enhance Your Weight Loss Efforts
- Improve Migraines with Weight Loss Surgery
- Flu Shot Less Effective for the Obese
- Benefits of Weight Loss before Bariatric Surgery
- Keep Up with Weight Loss
- Warm Up Your Body Even In Cold Weather
- Life after Weight Loss Surgery
- Health Risks Associated with Obesity
- Ten Reasons You Should Lose Weight
- Bariatric Surgery Can Help You to Fight Obesity
- How to Begin Exercising After Gastric Bypass Surgery
- New Risk Calculator Assists Patients Considering Bariatric Surgery
