Obesity has become a growing global epidemic, significantly increasing the risk of serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Managing obesity effectively is crucial for improving overall health and quality of life, and in severe cases, advanced treatments like Bariatric Surgery may be recommended.
Obesity is commonly defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is a simple calculation based on a person’s height and weight. However, it does have certain limitations. Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the accuracy of BMI in measuring body fat.
Additionally, BMI does not differentiate between fat, muscle, or bone mass, nor does it indicate how fat is distributed in the body. Despite these limitations, BMI remains a widely used and practical tool for identifying excess weight and assessing obesity-related health risks.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is a calculation that takes a person’s weight and height into account. However, BMI does have some limitations.
According to the CDC, "Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body fat. Also, BMI doesn’t distinguish between excess fat, muscle, or bone mass, nor does it provide any indication of the distribution of fat among individuals."
Despite these limitations, BMI continues to be widely used as an indicator of excess weight.
Eating more calories than you burn in daily activity and exercise (on a long-term basis) causes obesity. Over time, these extra calories add up and cause you to gain weight.
Common specific causes of obesity include:
Certain medical conditions may also lead to weight gain. These include: