Obesity

What is obesity?

Obesity is a complex health condition involving having an abnormally high proportion of body fat that increases the risk of other serious medical conditions. The main causes of obesity include:

• Consuming more calories from food and drink than are burned off through activity over time


• Leading a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity


• Genetics and family history which can predispose some people to gain weight more easily

Diagnosing obesity involves using various measurements to determine if a person's weight is primarily from body fat rather than lean tissue. Common methods are:

• Body mass index (BMI) - This measurement uses a person's height and weight to estimate their level of body fat


• Waist circumference - Measuring the waist specifically can indicate abdominal fat buildup


• Body fat percentage - Special tools like skin calipers or underwater weighing directly quantify body fat

A () associated with obesity include:

• Heart disease and strokes


• Type 2 diabetes


• Certain cancers


• Liver and kidney disease

The main treatments for obesity focus on long-term lifestyle changes to normalize weight through improved diet and increasing activity levels. When needed, our clinic Vitality Hormone Clinic can provide supplemental hormone optimization therapy to assist with healthy, maintained weight loss. Some other common obesity treatments are:

• Healthier nutrition from whole foods


• Aerobic and strength-building exercise


• Behavioral counseling and support groups


• Prescription weight loss medications


• Bariatric surgery in extreme cases

In summary, obesity occurs when excessive body fat accumulation begins negatively impacting health. Making thoughtful adjustments to diet, activity levels, and behavior over time provide the foundation for safely losing weight and minimizing the risks linked to carrying excess fat tissue. Reach out today to learn more about our individualized obesity treatment regimens!