Obesity (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The two most common ways to measure health risks from obesity are: | |||
* [[Body mass index]] (BMI) | |||
* Waist circumference (waist measurement in inches) | |||
BMI is measured using height and weight. Health care provider can use BMI to estimate body fat. | |||
Waist measurement is another way to estimate body fat. Extra weight around your middle or [[stomach]] area increases your risk for [[type 2 diabetes]], [[heart disease]], and [[stroke]]. People with "apple-shaped" bodies (meaning their waist is bigger than their hips) also have an increased risk for these diseases. | |||
Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage. | |||
Blood tests may be done to look for [[thyroid]] or hormone problems that could lead to [[weight gain]]. | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
==Where to find medical care for Obesity ?== | ==Where to find medical care for Obesity ?== | ||
Revision as of 18:17, 27 August 2012
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Obesity |
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Obesity On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as from having too much fat.
Both terms mean that a person's weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for his or her height.
What causes Obesity ?
Taking in more calories than you burn can lead to obesity because the body stores unused calories as fat. Obesity can be caused by:
- Eating more food than your body can use
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not getting enough exercise
Many obese people who lose large amounts of weight and gain it back think it is their fault. They blame themselves for not having the willpower to keep the weight off. Many people regain more weight than they lost.
Other factors that affect weight include:
- The way we eat when we are children can affect the way we eat as adults. The way we eat over many years becomes a habit. It affects what we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat.
- We are surrounded by things that make it easy to overeat and hard to stay active:
- Many people do not have time to plan and make healthy meals.
- More people today work desk jobs compared to more active jobs in the past.
- People with less free time have less time to exercise.
The term "eating disorder" means a group of medical conditions that have an unhealthy focus on eating, dieting, losing or gaining weight, and body image. A person may be obese, follow an unhealthy diet, and have an eating disorder all at the same time.
Sometimes, medical problems or treatments cause weight gain, including:
- Underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism
- Medicines such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics
Other things that can cause weight gain are:
- Quitting smoking. Most people who quit smoking gain 4 - 10 pounds in the first 6 months after quitting. Some people gain as much as 25 - 30 pounds.
- Stress, anxiety, feeling sad, or not sleeping well
- For women:
Diagnosis
The two most common ways to measure health risks from obesity are:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Waist circumference (waist measurement in inches)
BMI is measured using height and weight. Health care provider can use BMI to estimate body fat.
Waist measurement is another way to estimate body fat. Extra weight around your middle or stomach area increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with "apple-shaped" bodies (meaning their waist is bigger than their hips) also have an increased risk for these diseases.
Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage.
Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or hormone problems that could lead to weight gain.