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What is Obesity?
Numerous dietary supplements that promise to help you shed weight quickly are available over-the-counter. But in most cases, the effectiveness and safety of these products is questionable. Talk to your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
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Also known as overweight, fat - obese
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Tests and Treatments
Obesity information from trusted sources:
AAP: Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity
Welcome to the AAP Web site dedicated to the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity. The purpose of this site is to bring awareness to the serious ... Read more on
www.aap.org
Obesity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Obesity
Obesity is a major health problem and one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Studies have shown that between 30 and 35 percent of ... Read more on
medicalcenter.osu.edu
Obesity
The foods we eat every day contribute to our well-being. Foods provide us with the nutrients we need for healthy bodies and the calories we need for energy. If we eat too much, however, the extra food turns to fat and is stored in our bodies. If we overeat regularly, we gain weight, and if we continue to gain weight, we may become obese. Obesity means accumulation of excess fat on the body. Obesity is considered a chronic (long-term) disease, like high blood pressure or diabetes. It has many serious long-term consequences for your health, and it is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first). Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30. The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. See eMedicine's Body Mass Index Calculator. Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Obesity Information
Nov 4, 2010 ... Obesity is defined simply as too much body fat. Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various vitamins and minerals. ... Read more on
www.heart.org
Childhood obesity
Do you know when to be concerned about your child's weight Of course, all children gain weight as they grow older. But extra pounds more than what's needed to support their growth and development can lead to childhood obesity. Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Obesity and Overweight: Topics | DNPAO | CDC
Sep 30, 2010 ... This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand that obesity is a serious health issue and the efforts being ... Read more on
www.cdc.gov
Overweight
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height. Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active. Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
NIH - Obesity
Health Topics A-Z. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z . See All Topics. Subscribe Sign up to receive Obesity email updates ... Read more on
health.nih.gov
Obesity-Overview
Apr 16, 2009 ... What is obesity?Being obese means having so much body fat that your health is in danger. Having too much body fat can lead to type 2 ... Read more on
www.webmd.com
Contents
Causes
Obesity does not just happen overnight - it develops gradually from poor diet and lifestyle choices and, to some extent, from your genes.
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www.nhs.uk
Complications
If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including: Blood (fat) lipid abnormalities; Cancer, including cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, breast, colon, rectum and prostate; Depression; Gallbladder disease; Gynecological problems, such as infertility and irregular periods; Heart disease; High blood pressure; Metabolic syndrome; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Osteoarthritis; Skin problems, such as intertrigo and impaired wound healing; Sleep apnea; Stroke; Type 2 diabetes
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www.mayoclinic.com
Coping and support
Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips to cope with obesity and your weight-loss efforts: Journal. Write in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.; Connect. Don't become isolated. Try to participate in regular activities and get together with family or friends periodically.; Join. Join a support group so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.; Focus. Stay focused on your goals. Overcoming obesity is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your condition and working toward your goals.; Relax. Learn relaxation and stress...
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www.mayoclinic.com
Diagnosis
Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently used as the most accurate and reliable way of measuring how overweight you are.
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www.nhs.uk
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, eating habits, and exercise routine.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Facts
Obesity is fast becoming the developed world's biggest health problem, with over 9,000 deaths a year in England being caused by obesity alone.
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www.nhs.uk
Lifestyle and home remedies
Your effort to overcome obesity is more likely to be successful it you follow strategies at home in addition to your formal treatment plan. These can include: Stick to your treatment plan. Changing a lifestyle you may have lived with for many years can be difficult. Be honest with your doctor, therapist or other health providers if you find your activity or eating goals slipping. You can work together to come up with new ideas or new approaches.; Take your medications as directed. If you take weight-loss medications or medications to treat obesity-related conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, take them exactly as prescribed. If you have a problem sticking with your medication...
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www.mayoclinic.com
Medical advice
Schedule an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child are obese or gaining weight at an extremely rapid rate. Remember that catching the problem early is much simpler than trying to fix it after the person has gained an excessive amount of weight.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
NICE guidelines
Possible Complications
Obesity is a significant health threat. The extra weight puts added stress on all parts of your body.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Preparing for your appointment
Talking to your doctor openly and honestly about your weight is one of the best things you can do for your health. You're likely to start by first seeing your primary care doctor. In some cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialist, if one is available in your area. You may also be referred to a mental health provider, dietitian or nutrition specialist.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Prevention
Whether you're at risk of becoming obese, currently overweight or at a healthy weight, you can take steps to prevent unhealthy weight gain and related health problems. Not surprisingly, the steps to prevent weight gain are the same as the steps to lose weight: daily exercise, a healthy diet, a long-term commitment to watch what you eat and drink.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of obesity include: Genetics. Your genes may affect the amount of body fat you store and where that fat is distributed. Genetics also may play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy and how your body burns calories during exercise.; Family history. Obesity tends to run in families. That's not just because of genetics. Family members tend to have similar eating, lifestyle and activity habits. If one or both of your parents are obese, your risk of being obese is increased.; Age. Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as you age, hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. In addition,...
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Support Groups
Many people find it easier to follow a diet and exercise program if they join a group of people with similar problems.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with obesity can include: Difficulty sleeping; Snoring; Sleep apnea; Pain in your back or joints; Excessive sweating; Always feeling hot; Rashes or infection in folds of your skin; Feeling out of breath with minor exertion; Daytime sleepiness or fatigue; Depression
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www.mayoclinic.com
Treatments and drugs
The goal of obesity treatment is to achieve and maintain a healthier weight to reduce your risk of serious health problems and enhance your quality of life. You may need to work with a team of health professionals, including a nutritionist, dietitian, therapist or an obesity specialist, to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits. Together, you can determine a healthy goal weight and how to achieve it. Your initial goal may be to lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight within six months.
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www.mayoclinic.com