Obesity is a complex disease that involves an excessive amount of body fat. It isn’t just a cosmetic concern but a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers ¹.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese ².
The issue of obesity has grown to epidemic proportions. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. Of these, over 650 million adults were obese. Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population was obese in 2016 ³.
Once considered a problem only in high-income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings ².
It’s important to address this growing epidemic by promoting healthy lifestyle choices and increasing awareness about the risks associated with obesity.
(1) Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.
(2) Obesity – World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity/.
(3) Obesity and overweight – World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight.
What causes obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease that occurs when an individual’s weight is higher than what is considered healthy for his or her height. Many factors can contribute to excess weight gain, including eating patterns, physical activity levels, and sleep routines. Social determinants of health, genetics, and taking certain medications also play a role ¹.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Globally, there has been an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars ³.
In some people, obesity can be traced to a medical cause, such as Prader-Willi syndrome or Cushing syndrome. Medical problems, such as arthritis, can also lead to decreased activity, which may result in weight gain ².
Some illnesses may lead to obesity or weight gain. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may also cause weight gain ¹.
(1) Causes of Obesity | Overweight & Obesity | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/causes.html.
(2) Obesity and overweight – World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight.
(3) Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.
What are the symptoms of obesity?
The most visible sign of obesity is excess body fat, usually measured by body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity, while a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight ⁴.
Some symptoms of obesity include above-average body weight, trouble sleeping, sleep apnea, varicose veins, skin problems caused by moisture that accumulates in the folds of your skin, gallstones, and osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints, especially the knees ¹.
People with obesity may also experience shortness of breath, sweating more than usual, snoring, fatigue, pain in the back and joints, and psychological issues such as negative self-esteem, depression, shame, and social isolation ³.
(1) Obesity – symptoms, causes, BMI and complications | healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/obesity.
(2) What is Obesity and its possible symptoms, causes, risk and prevention methods?. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/condition/Obesity/hp-Obesity.
(3) Obesity: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/obesity-symptoms-4689168.
(4) Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.
Why is obesity so harmful?
Obesity is harmful because it increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers ¹.
Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, oesophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney and prostate. Obesity also increases the likelihood of developing heartburn, gallbladder disease and liver problems ¹.
Obesity raises the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, the most common causes of kidney disease. Even if you don’t have diabetes or high blood pressure, obesity itself may promote kidney disease and quicken its progress ².
Obesity impairs the body’s responsiveness to insulin, raising blood sugar and insulin levels. It also leads to bad health, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, gallstones, cancer, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, fatty liver, and depression ³.
(1) Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.
(2) Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity – NIDDK. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks.
(3) Obesity: Unhealthy and unmanly – Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/obesity-unhealthy-and-unmanly.
How can I prevent or treat obesity?
There are several ways to prevent or treat obesity. Some of the most effective methods include exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting unhealthy foods (refined grains and sweets, potatoes, red meat, processed meat) and beverages (sugary drinks), improving sleep routine and reducing stress ¹.
Ways to help prevent obesity can include maintaining lifestyle factors such as a balanced diet, physical activity, and getting enough sleep ⁵. Eating at least five to seven servings of whole fruits and vegetables every day can also help prevent obesity ⁴.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to develop a personalized plan for preventing or treating obesity.
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(2) How to prevent obesity: Healthy eating and more – Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-prevent-obesity.
(3) Obesity Prevention: Diet, Exercise, Stress, Sleep – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/obesity-prevention-4014175.
(4) How to Prevent Obesity: Tips for Kids and Adults – Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-prevent-obesity.
(5) Obesity – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375749.
Can obesity be cured?
Obesity is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured. It requires long-term lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight. In some cases, medication or weight loss surgery may also be recommended by a healthcare professional. It’s important to work with a healthcare professional to develop a personalized plan for managing obesity.
Medications used for obesity
There are several medications that can be used to treat obesity. The FDA has approved five of these drugs for long-term use: orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy) ¹.
These medications work in different ways. For example, orlistat works by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in the intestine. Without this enzyme, triglycerides from the diet are prevented from being hydrolyzed into absorbable free fatty acids and are excreted undigested ³.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if medication is appropriate for you and to develop a personalized treatment plan.
(1) Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity – NIDDK. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity.
(2) Anti-obesity medication – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-obesity_medication.
(3) Obesity – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375749.
(4) A new treatment for obesity – Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-new-treatment-for-obesity-202109102589.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions related to medication or treatment.
