Overview
Obesity refers to an abnormally high body mass. It is a condition that can lead to various health problems and is not just a cosmetic issue. It is associated with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Causes
Obesity can be attributed to some causes:
- Lack of activity
- Excessive eating
- Genetics
- Diseases like Prader Willi syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome
- Pregnancy
Symptoms
Obesity is characterized by the body mass index (BMI) value. If a person has a BMI more than 30, the person is said to be obese.
Along with a high BMI, the patients that have started getting diseases associated with this health condition, have symptoms of those diseases.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by calculating the patient’s BMI. The BMI is calculated by dividing the patient’s weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. A patient with a BMI of 30 and higher is considered as obese.
Treatment
Treatment for this health condition is simply lifestyle changes. Adopting healthy eating habits, and increasing daily physical activity can lead to weight loss, which can decrease the risk of many health problems associated with obesity.
