HEALTH CONDITIONS
OBESITY
What is it?
Obesity is simply defined as too much body fat.
In the United States and much of the developed
world, obesity is a growing problem. Today
about 19% of children and teenagers in the
United States are overweight, which is 2-3 times
what the rate was in 1980. Among US adults, the
numbers are even more striking: 35% of those
over age 20 are considered overweight, and an
additional 34% are obese.
Obesity is considered a growing threat to our
nation's health. That's because obesity does the
following:
• Raises LDL or low-density lipoprotein (bad
cholesterol)
• Lowers HDL or high-density lipoprotein (good
cholesterol)
• Raises blood pressure
• Can lead to diabetes
All of these factors listed above increase your risk of heart and blood vessel
conditions.
What is the cause?
You can no doubt guess the cause of obesity: people take in more calories than
they burn up. Loading up on calories is easier today than it was decades ago.
Here are some of the reasons why:
• Meal size—We're eating bigger portions, both at home and especially in
restaurants.
• Fat content—When we eat out or buy ready-to-eat meals, the food is often
high in fat.
• Sodas—We're drinking a lot more sugary beverages.
• Snacking—We're buying and eating more snacks high in sugar and fat.
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In addition, we're getting too little exercise to burn up all of those calories. Both
children and adults are less physically active. They sit more than they used to—
to use the computer, play video games, or watch TV.
What are the symptoms?
In a sense, the symptoms of obesity are obvious: weight gain. But obesity can
also lead to a much higher risk of other health conditions. For some people,
having any of the following symptoms may also be closely related to their
obesity:
• Arthritis—the added weight is hard on your joints
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)—obesity is also hard on your heart and
arteries
• Diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers—endometrial, breast, and colon
What tests could I have?
To evaluate your weight, doctors and nurses use the body mass index.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
After finding out your weight and height, your doctor determines your body mass
index, or BMI. You can do the same by finding your BMI on the chart. The BMI
chart can then help you define your risk for health problems as minimal,
moderate, or high.
In some cases you may be sent to specialists for health education, further
testing, and treatment. To learn more, go to the Your Treatment Team section.
What are the treatment options?
Your doctor will probably suggest living a healthier lifestyle to avoid damage to
your heart and blood vessels. For example, your doctor or nurse will suggest
some ways to help you eat healthier foods. They might refer you to a dietitian.
And they might suggest an exercise program that could work for you. To learn
more, go to the Risk Factors section.
In cases of extreme obesity (defined as a BMI of 40 or more), doctors may
recommend medications or gastric bypass surgery. In gastric bypass surgery, the
doctor reduces the size of your stomach. The doctor may also create a detour
(bypass) around part of the small intestine. Since gastric bypass is major surgery
with many risks—and therefore is a drastic step to lower your weight—it is not
recommended for most overweight or obese people. Rather, it is considered for
people with severe obesity.
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Important Safety Information
Medications, procedures and tests can have some risks and possible side effects. Results may vary
from patient to patient. This information is not meant to replace advice from your doctor. Be sure to
talk to your doctor about these risks and possible side effects.
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All other brand names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of their respective owners.
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