Obesity Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Health Risks
Obesity is more than just a number on a scale; it is a complex medical condition. Understanding the root causes is the first crucial step toward taking control.
What Is Obesity?
Obesity is clinically diagnosed when a person's Body Mass Index (BMI) reaches 30 or higher. While not perfect, it is the standard screening tool used worldwide.
- Overweight: BMI 25.0 – 29.9
- Obesity Class I: BMI 30.0 – 34.9
- Obesity Class II (Severe): BMI 35.0 – 39.9
- Obesity Class III (Morbid): BMI 40.0+
What Causes Obesity?
The common belief that obesity is solely due to a lack of willpower is a myth. In reality, it results from a complex interplay of factors.
Genetics and Biology
Your genes influence how your body stores fat and processes food. Additionally, hormones that regulate hunger can malfunction, making it physically difficult to stop eating.
Environmental Contributors
Modern life often promotes weight gain through the availability of high-calorie foods, sedentary jobs, and a lack of infrastructure for daily movement.
Lifestyle Factors
Poor sleep patterns, chronic stress (which triggers cortisol), and dietary habits all play significant roles in metabolic health.
Symptoms and Health Risks
Visible weight gain is the primary sign, but obesity affects the body in other ways, including shortness of breath, sleep apnea, joint pain, and fatigue.
If left unaddressed, it significantly increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, and Osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
Recognizing that obesity is a multifaceted disease is the first step toward better health. It is not a character flaw, but a medical condition that requires management. Effective treatments exist to help you reclaim your health.