Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern, though. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Being extremely obese means you
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern, though. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Being extremely obese means you are especially likely to have health problems related to your weight. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. You can usually lose weight through dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior changes. In some cases, prescription medications or weight loss surgery may be options.
There are many things that can lead to an unhealthy weight. These include:
A calculation called the Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine if you are overweight or obese. If your BMI is over 25, you are considered overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. Click here to calculate your BMI.
Another indicator of risk for obesity is if waist circumference is greater than 40 inches for men or more than 35 inches for women.