Overweight in Adults(Obesity; Morbid Obesity)
by
Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD Definition TOPOverweight is a body weight that is above an ideal range. Extra weight can increase in the risk of some serious health problems. This includes heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. One tool used to check weight range is the body mass index (BMI). This scale creates weight ranges based on height. BMI levels in adults include:
Causes TOPOverweight is caused by taking in more calories than are used. Calories are taken in through food. Physical activity and basic body functions use calories. If more calories are eaten than used, then weight gain will happen. Factors that can influence the development of obesity include:
Risk Factors TOPFactors that may increase your chance of becoming overweight include:
Symptoms TOPSymptoms may include:
Complications of Excessive Weight Gain TOPAn increased risk of:
Decrease in quality of life associated with:
Being overweight can also affect pregnancy. Some complications include:
Diagnosis TOPYou will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Obesity is diagnosed by visual exam and body measurements using:
Treatment TOPObesity is difficult to treat. Things that affect treatment are:
There are many different options to treating obesity. A mix of treatments may be most successful. It should include changes in diet, activity, counseling, or medicine. You may need to try different diets before you see results. Diets can be designed by:
DietDifferent steps may help you. This may include avoiding certain types of foods. In general, the focus will be on increasing:
At the same time reduce:
Your and your doctor will find a plan that works best for you. Calorie IntakeThe key to weight loss is to reduce the total number of calories that you eat. Following a specific kind of diet, like a low-carb diet, is not necessary. It is much more important to choose a low calorie diet that you can stick with. Portion, or serving size, also plays an important role. Learning how to read nutrition labels may help you succeed. Food DiaryKeep track of everything you eat and drink. There are several tracking apps that can be used on your phone or tablet. It makes tracking much easier. ExerciseAsk your doctor about an exercise program. Even moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, can help you lose weight. There are many easy ways to add extra activity into your day. Take stairs instead of elevators. Park your car a little further away. Limit the amount of time you spend watching television. Decrease computer time and substitute it with activity. There are many tools to help you track and measure your activity. This includes counting the number of steps throughout the day. Many of these tools can connect to apps on your phone or tablets. Improve Sleep TOPPoor sleep can increase your risk of weight gain. Fatigue may also make you want to eat more and move less. Making small adjustments to your routine will help improve sleep:
Sleep apnea interferes with sleep. If you snore loudly or stop breathing during the night, talk to your doctor about getting a sleep test. Sleep apnea is treatable and it will improve your overall health. Behavior Therapy TOPBehavior therapy may help you understand:
When combined with diet and exercise, therapy can help you with your weight reduction. Weight Loss Programs TOPWeight loss programs may work for some people. A partner or group may also help you improve your eating habits and fitness. Medicine TOPWeight loss medicine may be prescribed. Medicine alone is not enough to lose weight and keep it off. Some medicine can have serious side effects. There are also risks associated with over the counter medicine and herbal products. Talk to your doctor before taking any of these. Bariatric Surgery TOPBariatric surgery makes the stomach smaller. In some cases, it will also rearrange the digestive tract. The smaller stomach can only hold a tiny portion of food at a time. Examples of procedures include:
These procedures may be a good option for people who are severely obese. It may also be recommended for people who are having trouble losing weight by other means.
Balloon Procedure TOPThis option uses a balloon type tool. This balloon fills up the stomach creating a feeling of fullness. The device is inserted into the mouth and passed to the stomach. The device is removed 6 months after it is placed. Talk to your doctor for more information about this procedure. Prevention TOPLosing weight can be difficult. It is best to avoid weight gain. To reduce your chances of getting overweight:
Talk to your doctor or an exercise professional about working activity into your daily life. RESOURCES:Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics https://www.eatright.org Obesity Society http://www.obesity.org References:Body mass index (BMI calculator). American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated July 12, 2016. Accessed March 23, 2018.
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Diets for weight loss. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
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Dietary guidelines for Americans 2015-2020. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at:
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed March 23, 2018. Obesity. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/obesity-and-the-metabolic-syndrome/obesity. Updated December 2016. Accessed March 23, 2018. Obesity, bias, and stigmatization. Obesity Society website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 23, 2018.
Obesity in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
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Physical activity for weight loss. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
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Understanding adult overweight & obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity. Accessed March 23, 2018. Last reviewed March 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Marcie L. Sidman, MD Last Updated: 3/23/2018 |
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