Obesity is when you weigh more than what is considered a healthy weight for your age, gender and height.  Your body mass index (BMI) calculates your weight by assessing your age gender and height. A BMI between 25 and 30 is defined as overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. When you are obese your body has more fat cells and they are larger than normal. Obesity can occur at any age.  Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to avoid weight related health problems such as type II diabetes and heart disease.

If you eat more calories than your body uses, the extra calories will be stored as body fat having too much body fat leads to obesity.

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Other causes that contribute to obesity include:

• age

• genetics

• poor sleeping habits

• pregnancy

• quitting smoking

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Medical conditions that can affect your weight include:

• polycystic ovary syndrome

• diabetes

• hypothyroidism

• congestive heart failure

• sleep apnea

• bulimia

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We offer obesity evaluation and treatment at our office on a daily basis. Obesity is treated by losing weight and keeping it off. Your goal should be to lower your BMI to what is appropriate for your age, gender and height. We help our patients decide what they need and what works best for them in their particular circumstances.

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Common recommendations include:

• aerobic exercising minimum of 20 minutes 3 to 5 days a week

• eating small frequent meals, lower in carbohydrates

• prescription weight loss medications

• weight loss surgery is typically a last resort (bariatric surgery is most successful when used as part of a long-term healthy lifestyle).