Obesity
Morbid obesity; Fat - obeseObesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle or water, as well as from having too much fat.
Both terms mean that a person's weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for his or her height.
Causes
Taking in more calories than your body burns can lead to obesity. This is because the body stores unused calories as fat. Obesity can be caused by:
- Eating more food than your body can use
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not getting enough exercise
Many obese people who lose large amounts of weight and gain it back think it is their fault. They blame themselves for not having the willpower to keep the weight off. Many people regain more weight than they lost.
Today, we know that biology is a big reason why some people cannot keep the weight off. Some people who live in the same place and eat the same foods become obese, while others do not. Our bodies have a complex system to keep our weight at a healthy level. In some people, this system does not work normally.
The way we eat when we are children can affect the way we eat as adults.
The way we eat over many years becomes a habit. It affects what we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat.
We may feel that we are surrounded by things that make it easy to overeat and hard to stay active.
- Many people feel they do not have time to plan and make healthy meals.
- More people today work desk jobs compared to more active jobs in the past.
- People with little free time may have less time to exercise.
The term eating disorder means a group of medical conditions that have an unhealthy focus on eating, dieting, losing or gaining weight, and body image. A person may be obese, follow an unhealthy diet, and have an eating disorder all at the same time.
Sometimes, medical problems or treatments cause weight gain, including:
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Medicines such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics
Other things that can cause weight gain are:
- Quitting smoking -- Many people who quit smoking gain 4 to 10 pounds (lb) or 2 to 5 kilograms (kg) in the first 6 months after quitting.
- Stress, anxiety, feeling sad, or not sleeping well.
- Menopause -- Women may gain 12 to 15 lb (5.5 to 7 kg) during menopause.
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods (menstruation) stop. Most often, it is a natural, normal body change that most often occurs...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Pregnancy -- Women may not lose the weight they gained during pregnancy.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history, eating habits, and exercise routine.
The two most common ways to assess your weight and measure health risks related to your weight are:
- Body mass index (BMI)
Body mass index
A good way to decide if your weight is healthy for your height is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). You and your health care provider can us...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Waist circumference (your waist measurement in inches or centimeters)
BMI is calculated using height and weight. You and your provider can use your BMI to estimate how much body fat you have.
Your waist measurement is another way to estimate how much body fat you have. Extra weight around your middle or stomach area increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with "apple-shaped" bodies (meaning they tend to store fat around their waist and have a slim lower body) also have an increased risk for these diseases.
Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage.
Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or hormone problems that could lead to weight gain.
Treatment
CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE
An active lifestyle and plenty of exercise, along with healthy eating, is the safest way to lose weight. Even modest weight loss can improve your health. You may need a lot of support from family and friends.
Exercise
An active lifestyle and exercise routine, along with eating healthy foods, is the best way to lose weight.

Your main goal should be to learn new, healthy ways of eating and make them part of your daily routine.
Healthy ways of eating
The foods and drinks you choose are important to maintaining a healthy weight. This article offers advice on making good food choices to manage your...

Many people find it hard to change their eating habits and behaviors. You may have practiced some habits for so long that you may not even know they are unhealthy, or you do them without thinking. You need to be motivated to make lifestyle changes. Make the behavior change part of your life over the long term. Know that it takes time to make and keep a change in your lifestyle.
Habits and behaviors
Food gives our bodies the energy we need to function. Food is also a part of traditions and culture. This can mean that eating has an emotional com...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleWork with your provider and dietitian to set realistic, safe daily calorie counts that help you lose weight while staying healthy. Remember that if you drop weight slowly and steadily, you are more likely to keep it off. Your dietitian can teach you about:
- Healthy food choices at home and in restaurants
Restaurants
Eating out is a part of our busy modern lives. Even though you need to be careful to not overeat, it is possible to go out and enjoy yourself while ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Healthy snacks
Healthy snacks
For almost anyone trying to watch their weight, choosing healthy snacks can be a challenge. Even though snacking has developed a "bad image," snacks ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Reading nutrition labels and healthy grocery shopping
Nutrition labels
Food labels contain a great deal of information on most packaged foods. Food labels are called "Nutrition Facts. " The United States Food and Drug A...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleHealthy grocery shopping
A key step for losing weight, keeping the weight off, and staying healthy is learning how to buy the right foods at the store. This will ensure you ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - New ways to prepare food
- Portion sizes
Portion sizes
It can be hard to measure out every portion of food you eat. Yet there are some simple ways to know that you are eating the right serving sizes. Fo...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Sweetened drinks
Extreme diets (fewer than 1,100 calories per day) are not thought to be safe or to work very well. These types of diets often do not contain enough vitamins and minerals. Most people who lose weight this way return to overeating and become obese again.
Learn ways to manage stress other than snacking. Examples may be meditation, yoga, or exercise. If you are depressed or stressed a lot, talk to your provider.
MEDICINES AND HERBAL REMEDIES
You may see ads for supplements and herbal remedies that claim they will help you lose weight. Some of these claims may not be true. And some of these supplements can have serious side effects. Talk to your provider before using them.
Supplements and herbal remedies
You may see ads for supplements that claim to help you lose weight. But many of these claims are not true. Some of these supplements can even have ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYou can discuss weight loss medicines with your provider. Many people lose at least 5 lb (2 kg) by taking these drugs, but they may regain the weight when they stop taking the medicine unless they have made lifestyle changes.
SURGERY
Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery can reduce the risk of certain diseases in people with severe obesity. These risks include:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Some cancers
- Stroke
Surgery may help people who have been very obese for 5 years or more and have not lost weight from other treatments, such as diet, exercise, or medicine.
Surgery alone is not the answer for weight loss. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You must be committed to diet and exercise after surgery. Talk to your provider to learn if surgery is a good option for you.
Weight-loss surgeries include:
- Laparoscopic gastric banding
Laparoscopic gastric banding
Laparoscopic gastric banding is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon places a band around the upper part of your stomach to create a small ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat. After the surgery, you...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Sleeve gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The new, smaller stomach is ab...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Duodenal switch
Support Groups
Many people find it easier to follow a diet and exercise program if they join a group of people with similar problems.
More information and support for people with obesity and their families can be found at: Obesity Action Coalition -- www.obesityaction.org/community/find-support-connect/find-a-support-group/.
Possible Complications
Obesity is a major health threat. The extra weight creates many risks to your health.
Risks to your health
Obesity is a medical condition in which a high amount of body fat increases the chance of developing medical problems. People with obesity have a hig...

References
Cowley MA, Brown WA, Considine RV. Obesity: the problem and its management. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 26.
Jensen MD. Obesity. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 207.
Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al; American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; Obesity Society. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. Circulation. 2014;129 (25 Suppl 2):S102-S138. PMID: 24222017 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222017/.
Oh TJ. The role of anti-obesity medication in prevention of diabetes and its complications. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2019;28(3):158-166. PMID: 31583380 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31583380/.
Pilitsi E, Farr OM, Polyzos SA, et al. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: available medications and drugs under investigation. Metabolism. 2019;92:170-192. PMID: 30391259 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30391259/.
Raynor HA, Champagne CM. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: interventions for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(1):129-147. PMID: 26718656 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26718656/.
Richards WO. Morbid obesity. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier: 2017:chap 47.
Ryan DH, Kahan S. Guideline Recommendations for obesity management. Med Clin North Am. 2018;102(1):49-63. PMID: 29156187 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29156187/.
Semlitsch T, Stigler FL, Jeitler K, Horvath K, Siebenhofer A. Management of overweight and obesity in primary care-A systematic overview of international evidence-based guidelines. Obes Rev. 2019;20(9):1218-1230. PMID: 31286668 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31286668/.
Childhood obesity
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Childhood obesity - illustration
Studies indicate obese children overwhelmingly tend to stay overweight into adulthood.
Childhood obesity
illustration
Obesity and health - illustration
Obesity increases a person's risk of illness and death due to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney and gallbladder disease. Obesity may increase the risk for some types of cancer. It is also a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.
Obesity and health
illustration
Childhood obesity - illustration
Studies indicate obese children overwhelmingly tend to stay overweight into adulthood.
Childhood obesity
illustration
Obesity and health - illustration
Obesity increases a person's risk of illness and death due to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney and gallbladder disease. Obesity may increase the risk for some types of cancer. It is also a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.
Obesity and health
illustration
Review Date: 1/13/2020
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.