Your health is your most prized possession. It is the key to living life to its fullest and enjoying everything that life has to offer.
If you struggle with obesity, you are not alone.
In fact, more than 2 in 3 adults in America are considered to be overweight or obese and 1 in 3 is considered to be obese, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2010. And the prevalence of obesity among adults more than doubled since the early 1960s.
There is no single cause for obesity. Obesity is a disease and not a behavior, and there are many factors that can lead to obesity.
- Genetics or factors you inherited
- Your family history of obesity
- Abnormality in genes that regulate your metabolism, appetite and ability to feel full
- Behavioral or psychological factors
- Using food as a coping mechanism
- Emotional eating
- Eating disorders
- Underlying medical or endocrine causes
- Cultural or environmental causes
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Accessibility to high-calorie food
Most people have tried many approaches to lose weight, from diets to exercise to lifestyle changes, before they consider surgery.
Know Your Risk Factors
Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for significant health issues and even premature death.
Those who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for developing a range of adverse health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoarthritis and even some types of cancer.
Being able to get your weight under control and lowering it to a safe and healthy level can help you reduce, or even eliminate, many of the associated health risks.
What is my BMI?
The most common way to measure obesity is by calculating your Body Mass Index, or BMI. It’s a simple calculation of dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared:
Use our simple BMI calculator to find your BMI number.
Once you have your BMI number, then you can see where you fall on the Weight Category Scale:
Weight Category BMI
Underweight < 18.5
Normal 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight 25 – 29.9
Obese 30 – 39.9
Severely Obese >40
Solving Obesity
There is no single cause for obesity and also no single solution.
It is important to always consult with a physician before embarking on any kind of weight loss program to ensure your safety.
Weight loss surgery is an extremely effective option for some people. While a benefit of weight loss surgery is transforming your appearance, the most important benefit is the positive effects it can have on your health. Surgery can reduce and, in some cases, eliminate weight-related medical conditions and help you lead a longer and healthier life.
FDA approved weight loss medication can be prescribed to patients as an adjunct to diet and exercise for medical weight management. These medications help target regions of the brain that control food intake and appetite as it aids in increasing satiety and decreasing gastric emptying time. However, over time, weight loss medication may not be as effective and there can be a rebound effect with appetite once the medication is stopped. The long-term risk is unknown with weight loss medication.