DescriptionObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. People with obesity have a higher chance of developing these health problems:
Three things can be used to determine if a person's weight gives them a higher chance of developing obesity-related diseases:
 Body Mass IndexExperts often rely on BMI to determine if a person is overweight. The BMI estimates your level of body fat based on your height and weight. Starting at 25.0, the higher your BMI, the greater is your risk of developing obesity-related health problems. These ranges of BMI are used to describe levels of risk:
There are many websites with calculators that give your BMI when you enter your weight and height. For individuals, BMI is a screening tool, but it does not diagnose body fatness or health. Your health care provider can evaluate your health status and risks. If you have questions about your BMI, talk with your provider. Other methods to measure body fatness include skinfold thickness measurements (with calipers), underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and isotope dilution. However, these methods are not always readily available. Waist SizeWomen with a waist size greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters) and men with a waist size greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters) have an increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. People with "apple-shaped" bodies (waist is bigger than the hips) also have an increased risk for these conditions.  Risk FactorsHaving a risk factor for a disease doesn't mean that you will get the disease. But it does increase the chance that you will. Some risk factors, like age, race, or family history can't be changed. The more risk factors you have, the more likely it is that you will develop the disease or health problem. Your risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems increases if you have obesity and have these risk factors:
These other risk factors for heart disease and stroke are not caused by obesity:
Summing it upYou can control many of these risk factors by changing your lifestyle. If you have obesity, your provider can help you begin a weight-loss program. A starting goal of losing 5% to 10% of your current weight will significantly reduce your risk of developing obesity-related diseases. ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Overweight and obesity. www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html. Updated September 27, 2022. Accessed July 30, 2023. Jensen MD. Obesity. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 207. Ramu A, Neild P. Diet and nutrition. In: Naish J, Syndercombe Court D, eds. Medical Sciences. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 16. | |
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Review Date: 7/8/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
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Obesity and health
Different types of...
