Obesity - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What is obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an accumulation of excessive body fat that increases the risk of other health issues. Body mass index (BMI) is often used to determine clinically if someone has obesity.

Someone is considered to have obesity when their BMI is over 30kg/m2. Obesity is most often caused by a combination of:

• Excess energy intake - as fat or carbohydrate
• Lack of physical activity

Detrimental effects of obesity

Obesity dramatically raises the risk of:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease and stroke
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal blood fats
• Metabolic syndrome
• Joint issues like osteoarthritis
• Cancer (endometrial, breast, prostate)

While concerning for anyone, obesity is particularly worrying in children and adolescents:

• A child or teen with obesity is 5-7 times more likely to become an adult with obesity
• This can lead to lifelong health issues and premature death

Why is treating obesity important?

Losing even a small amount of weight can have big health benefits. Losing just 5–10% of your body weight shows improvements in blood pressure, blood sugars and blood fats.

Treating obesity improves overall health and quality of life. It also reduces the risk of developing:

• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain cancers

So in summary, obesity is an excess of body fat increasing health risks. But it can be treated through lifestyle interventions, medications, and hormone optimization. Reach out if you need help getting started on your weight loss journey!