Weight Loss
How do I know if I am too heavy?
Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat that will increase the risk of various health problems. One way to determine if you are too heavy is by calculating your body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. A BMI of 30 or higher is generally considered too high. You can also assess your waist circumference, because excess fat around the waist can increase the risk of health problems even in people with a normal BMI. A waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men may indicate higher risk.
Conditions linked to excessive body weight
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Type 2 diabetes: Excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance, which can eventually progress to type 2 diabetes.
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Heart disease: Excess body fat can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other factors that increase the risk of heart disease.
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Stroke: Excess body fat is a major risk factor for stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.
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Sleep apnea: Excess body fat can contribute to sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
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Arthritis: Excess weight can put stress on joints and increase the risk of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease.
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Certain cancers: Excess body fat has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
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Fatty liver disease: Excess body fat can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can cause inflammation and damage to the liver.
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Kidney disease: Excess body fat is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, which can eventually lead to kidney failure.
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Pregnancy complications: Excess body fat increases the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy complications.
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Depression: Excess body fat has been associated with an increased risk of depression, which can affect both physical and mental health.
What are the causes of obesity?
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This is a complex condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the primary causes of obesity is consuming more calories than the body burns, which can lead to the accumulation of excess body fat. Sounds simple but it’s not. Other contributing factors may include genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and psychological factors such as stress and depression.