Which of the following are true about being overweight or obese?
Show
SummaryRead the full fact sheet
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Related information
From other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Table of ContentsOverview (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});About obesityOverweight and obesity are increasingly common conditions in the United States. Almost 70% of adults in the United States are overweight. And of those, about one third are considered obese. Obesity is a serious chronic illness that can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease — two of the leading causes of kidney disease — as well as high blood cholesterol, cancers, and sleep disorders. Being overweight or obese are both terms for having more body fat than what is considered healthy. These terms are used to identify people who are at risk for health problems from having too much body fat. However, the term "obese" generally means a much higher amount of body fat than "overweight." Everyone needs some body fat for energy, heat insulation, and other body functions. But having too much can lead to serious health problems. The more body fat you have, the greater your risk for diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Symptoms Signs and symptomsThere are no specific symptoms of overweight and obesity. The signs of overweight and obesity include a high body mass index (BMI), which is calculated from your height and weight. To find your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 704.5. Then, divide the result by your height in inches and divide that result by your height in inches a second time. Another sign of obesity is unhealthy body fat distribution that can be estimated by measuring your waist circumference. It is important to note, however, that BMI estimates body fat. It does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people with muscular builds, such as athletes, may have a BMI that falls into the overweight range even though they do not have excess body fat.
BMI Chart
Causes Obesity is a complex health issue resulting from a combination of causes, including environmental and social factors as well as personal behaviors and family history. Personal behaviors can include physical activity and inactivity, dietary patterns, and alcohol and drug use. Additional contributing factors include having access to healthy foods, your physical environment, education, employment and more. Personal behaviorsLack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, not enough sleep, and high amounts of stress can increase your risk for overweight and obesity.
Community and environmentPeople and families may make decisions based on their environment or community. For example, a person may not walk or bike to the store or to work because of a lack of sidewalks or safe bike trails. Community, home, childcare, school, health care, and workplace settings can all influence daily behaviors, which is why it's important to create environments that make it easier to engage in physical activity and eat healthy foods. These factors can increase your risk for overweight and obesity:
Genetics and family historyGenes give the body instructions for responding to changes in its environment. Variants in several genes may contribute to obesity by increasing hunger and food intake. Rarely, a clear pattern of inherited obesity within a family is caused by a specific variant of a single gene. Most obesity, however, results from complex interactions among multiple genes, social and environmental factors, and personal behaviors. Family health history reflects the effects of shared genetics and environment among close relatives. Families cannot change their genes, but they can choose healthy eating habits and physical activity. Those changes can improve the health of family members—and improve the health history of the next generation of family. Children whose parents eat high-calorie foods and are inactive tend to learn these same habits. Diseases and drugsSome illnesses may lead to obesity or weight gain. These may include Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Drugs such as steroids and some antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and antihyperglycemics may also cause weight gain and can also lead to overweight and obesity. ComplicationsBeing overweight or having obesity may raise your risk for some health problems and may be linked to certain emotional and social problems. Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. About 8 out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity. Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage, and other health problems. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, losing 5% to 7% of your body weight and getting regular physical activity may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. High blood pressureHigh blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition in which blood flows through your blood vessels with a force greater than normal. High blood pressure can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and death. Heart diseaseHeart disease is a term used to describe several problems that may affect your heart. If you have heart disease, you may have a heart attack, heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina, or an abnormal heart rhythm. High blood pressure, abnormal levels of blood fats, and high blood glucose levels may raise your risk for heart disease. Blood fats, also called blood lipids, include HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Losing 5% to 10% of your weight may lower your risk factors for developing heart disease. If you weigh 200 pounds, this means losing as little as 10 pounds. Weight loss may also improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood flow. StrokeStroke is a condition in which the blood supply to your brain is suddenly cut off and is usually caused by a blockage or the bursting of a blood vessel in your brain or neck. A stroke can damage brain tissue and make you unable to speak or move parts of your body. High blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes. Sleep ApneaSleep apnea is a common disorder in which you do not breathe regularly while sleeping. You may stop breathing altogether for short periods of time. Untreated sleep apnea may raise your risk of other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. These conditions include:
Fatty liver diseasesFatty liver diseases are conditions in which fat builds up in your liver. Fatty liver diseases include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fatty liver diseases may lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, or even liver failure. OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is a common, long-lasting health problem that causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. Being overweight or having obesity may raise your risk of getting osteoarthritis by putting extra pressure on your joints and cartilage. Gallbladder diseaseOverweight and obesity may raise your risk of getting gallbladder diseases, such as gallstones and cholecystitis. Imbalances in substances that make up bile cause gallstones. Gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol. Some cancersCancer is a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Overweight and obesity may raise your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Kidney diseaseKidney disease occurs when your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood like they should. 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 lead to developing kidney disease and quicken its progress. Pregnancy problemsOverweight and obesity raise the risk of health problems that may occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese may have a greater chance of developing gestational diabetes and having preeclampsia, which is a kind of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. Preeclampsia can cause severe health problems for mother and baby if left untreated. Pregnant women with preeclampsia may need to have a cesarean section (C-section) and, as a result, may take longer to recover after giving birth. Emotional and social problemsOverweight and obesity are associated with mental health problems such as depression. People who are overweight or obese may also be the subject of weight bias and stigma from others, including health care providers. This can lead to feelings of rejection, shame, or guilt—further worsening mental health problems. Diagnosis TestsDoctors calculate BMI and measure waist circumference to screen and diagnose overweight and obesity. Treatment OverviewCommon treatments for overweight and obesity include losing weight through healthy eating, being more physically active, and making other changes to your usual habits. Weight-management programs may help some people lose weight or keep from regaining lost weight. Some people who have obesity are unable to lose enough weight to improve their health or are unable to keep from regaining weight. In such cases, a doctor may consider adding other treatments, including weight-loss medication, weight-loss devices, and/or bariatric surgery. Experts recommend losing 5% to 10% of your body weight within the first 6 months of treatment. If you weigh 200 pounds, this means losing as little as 10 pounds. Losing 5% to 10% percent of your weight may:
Healthy eating plan and regular physical activityFollowing a healthy eating plan with fewer calories is often the first step in trying to treat overweight and obesity. People who are overweight or have obesity should also start regular physical activity when they begin their healthy eating plan. Being active may help you use calories. Regular physical activity may help you stay at a healthy weight. Changing your habitsChanging your eating and physical activity habits and lifestyle may be difficult, but with a plan, effort, regular support, and patience, you may be able to lose weight and improve your health. The following tips may help you think about ways to lose weight, engage in regular physical activity, and improve health over the long-term.
Weight-management programsSome people benefit from a formal weight-management program. In a weight-management program, trained specialists will design a broad plan just for you and help you carry out your plan. Plans include a lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and ways to help you change your habits and stick with them. You may work with the specialists on-site (that is, face-to-face) in individual or group sessions. The specialists may contact you regularly by telephone or internet to help support your plan. Devices such as smartphones, pedometers, and accelerometers may help you track how well you are sticking with your plan. Some people may also benefit from online weight-management programs or commercial weight-loss programs. MedicationWhen healthy eating and physical activity habits are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat overweight and obesity. Before prescribing medicine or recommending devices or surgery, most doctors will request their patients demonstrate healthy lifestyles that include better nutrition and increased physical activity. Even after prescription medicine, devices or surgical treatments, patients will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives. Despite treatments and lifestyle changes, some patients may not be able to lose weight or maintain weight loss. You may see ads for herbal remedies and dietary supplements that claim to help you lose weight. Most of these claims are not true. Some of these supplements can even have serious side effects. Talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter herbal remedies or dietary supplements for the purpose of trying to lose weight. Weight-loss and -management devicesYour doctor may consider weight-loss devices if you haven’t been able to lose weight or keep from gaining back any weight you lost with other treatments. Because weight-loss devices have only recently been approved, researchers do not have long-term data on their safety and effectiveness. The FDA categorizes devices as weight-loss or weight-management devices based on the amount of weight a person is expected to lose. For some weight-loss devices, patients should be evaluated and treated for eating disorders before considering using the device as part of their obesity treatment. An undiagnosed and untreated eating disorder can have serious health consequences for patients. Some devices are not for patients that have a history of eating disorders. Medical professionals may also find it appropriate to closely monitor patients with certain weight-loss devices during treatment for evidence of an eating disorder. Weight-loss Devices Currently, there are 3 approved devices intended for weight-loss:
Weight-management devices Currently, there are 2 approved devices intended to aid with weight management:
Bariatric surgeryBariatric surgery includes several types of operations that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. Bariatric surgery may be an option if you have extreme obesity and haven’t been able to lose enough weight to improve your health or keep from gaining back the weight you lost with other treatments. Bariatric surgery also may be an option at lower levels of obesity if you have additional serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, related to obesity. Bariatric surgery can improve many of the medical conditions linked to obesity, especially type 2 diabetes. Nutrition Many people don't realize that a lot of people who are overweight and obese are also malnourished. Malnutrition is defined as poor nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients. It's commonly thought that malnutrition only affects those who are underweight. Malnutrition is largely under-recognized and often not treated in patients with high BMI. And unhealthy body fat distribution, especially abdominal fat, is often mistaken to by caused by overnutrition rather than undernutrition. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that malnutrition affects more than 4 times more overweight or obese individuals than those who are underweight. The reason why malnutrition is high in overweight and obese people is often due to having an unhealthy diet -- one that's typically high in calories and salt but has few healthy nutrients, such as sugary carbonated drinks or fast foods. These foods are also empty-calorie foods. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Some people don’t have the information they need to choose healthy foods. Other people don’t have access to healthy foods or can’t afford to buy enough food that is nutrient-rich. Many people in the United States live in neighborhoods that do not have access to healthy food retailers. The availability of healthy, affordable foods can make it easier for people to choose healthier options. Where people eat also appears to influence their food decisions. For example, foods eaten away from home often have more calories and are of lower nutritional quality than foods prepared at home. Exercise Only 1 in 4 adults in the United States meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Physical activity can help prevent disease, disability, injury, and premature death. Although most people don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity, it can be especially hard for older adults and people with chronic diseases or disabilities. Yet not everyone has access to convenient, affordable and safe places to be physically active. To lose weight and keep it off, you will need a high amount of physical activity unless you also adjust your diet and reduce the amount of calories you’re eating and drinking. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight requires both regular physical activity and a healthy eating plan. Preparing for your appointmentQuestions for your doctorYou and your healthcare provider will need to work together to make treatment choices that are best for you. Here are some questions to help you begin a discussion. It is helpful to write your questions down before your appointments, and bring the list with you. Doing so will help you make the best use of your time together.
References Last Reviewed: 01/07/2022 What is the difference between being overweight and being obese?For adults, WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows: overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25; and. obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30.
What is the difference between overweight and obese quizlet?Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. 3. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
What is true obesity?Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease
Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
What factors contribute to a person being overweight or obese?What causes obesity & overweight?. Food and Activity. People gain weight when they eat more calories than they burn through activity. ... . Environment. The world around us influences our ability to maintain a healthy weight. ... . Genetics. ... . Health Conditions and Medications. ... . Stress, Emotional Factors, and Poor Sleep.. |