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Obesity

Condition Basics

What is obesity?

Obesity is having an excess amount of body fat for your height. It raises your risk for serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

How do you know if your weight is in the obesity range?

To know if your weight is in the obesity range, your doctor looks at your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a number that is calculated from your weight and your height. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range. Talk with your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you.

To figure out your BMI for yourself, you can use an online tool, such as www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm on the National Institutes of Health website.

How is obesity treated?

Losing even 5% of your body weight can improve your health.footnote 1 Some people can lose weight by eating less and moving more. Some people take medicines or have surgery to help them lose weight.

You're more likely to have success if you make a plan with your doctor. Your doctor can help you set goals that matter to you and focus on ways to improve your health.

Your doctor may also suggest counseling or other types of support. If you use food to cope with depression or boredom, counseling can help you learn new skills to manage your feelings.

Can you take medicines or have surgery to lose weight?

Weight-loss medicine or surgery may be helpful for people who have a BMI in a certain range or who have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise.

  • Weight-loss medicine may be an option if you have obesity or if you are overweight and have a health problem related to your weight. These medicines work by making you feel less hungry, making you feel full more quickly, or changing how you digest fat.
  • Weight-loss (bariatic) surgery may be an option if you have obesity and have not been able to lose a meaningful amount of weight and keep it off. It may also be offered if you have obesity and have weight-related health problems that have not improved with other options. Weight-loss surgery makes the stomach area smaller so it fills up with less food. This surgery is safe and effective for many people.

Your doctor can help you understand your options so you can decide what's right for you. With any treatment you choose, healthy eating and regular exercise can help you make lasting changes. Your doctor may also suggest counseling or other types of support to learn new ways to manage your feelings.

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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.