Top Things to Know About Obesity

• Definition and Measurement: Obesity is having excess body fat detrimental to health, measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI). Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese, while for children, it’s defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile. 
• Current Statistics: Obesity rates have dramatically increased since the 1980s, affecting approximately 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children in the U.S. 
• Health Impacts: Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation, leading to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, increased estrogen levels, and a higher risk of certain cancers. 
• Risk Factors: Contributing factors include genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, age, limited access to healthy options, stress, and certain medications and conditions like hypothyroidism. 
• Symptoms and Related Health Issues: Symptoms of obesity include fatigue, breathing difficulties, pain, and mental health issues like depression. Long-term effects include heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and increased cancer risk. 
• Prevention and Management: Prevention focuses on healthy diets and regular physical activity. Managed by healthcare professionals, obesity treatment includes dietary advice, exercise, medications, and, in some cases, surgery. 
• Comprehensive Treatment: Effective obesity management combines diet changes, regular exercise, psychological support, medications, and possibly bariatric surgery, with a focus on long-term lifestyle modifications.