Obesity is extremely prevalent in the U.S. and related to many serious health disorders. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence of obesity was 42.4% in 2018 in adults in the U.S. Excessive fat on the body can put stress on every system, affecting the heart, lungs, reproductive health and much more. Understanding how obesity impacts your health and the wellness benefits of losing weight can help you make better choices when it comes to managing your weight.

What Is Considered Obese?

Obesity is based on the body mass index, or BMI. Adults who have a BMI of over 30 are considered obese, while those over 40 BMI are considered severely or morbidly obese. The amount of excess weight is different depending on height and gender – for some shorter individuals, 30-40 pounds can result in obesity while it may be more for those with a larger structure.

Obesity-Related Diseases

For those who are excessively overweight, health-related problems are usually inevitable. Not only can obesity affect day-to-day wellness, but it can shorten lifespan and increase medical costs. There are many diseases that are directly related to obesity – many people can reverse certain conditions by losing weight. Some common obesity-related diseases include:

  • GERD or acid reflux
  • Sleep apnea
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Asthma

Many individuals who are obese may have multiple related diseases that can increase their risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes. In addition, excess weight can increase risk of mobility conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Obesity Treatments

Losing weight can be difficult, especially when individuals already have health problems caused by their obesity. When restricted diets and exercise alone are ineffective, medical weight loss can be the solution. Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery have an extremely high success rate, helping people lose the excess weight and often reversing many obesity-related diseases like hypertension, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.

While many people focus on the aesthetics of obesity, the health concerns are concrete reasons to explore weight loss. Danny Shouhed, MD offers advanced options for medical weight loss, including minimally invasive procedures and bariatric surgery. Contact our office in Beverly Hills, CA to schedule a weight loss consultation.