Obesity
Overview
The term obese describes a person who has excess body fat.
Symptoms
The most widely used method to check if you're a healthy weight is body mass index (BMI).
Causes
Obesity is a complex issue with many causes. Obesity and overweight is caused when extra calories, particularly those from foods high in fat and sugar, are stored in the body as fat. Obesity is an increasingly common problem because the environment we live in makes it difficult for many people to eat healthily and do enough physical activity. Genetics can also be a cause of obesity for some people. Your genes can affect how your body uses food and stores fat. There are also some underlying health conditions that can occasionally contribute to weight gain, such as anunderactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), although these types of conditions do not usually cause weight problems if they're effectively controlled with medicines. Some medicines can also make people more likely to put on weight, including steroids and some medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes or mental health conditions.
Treatment
Diet (calorie deficit); Exercise (150 mins/week); Behavioural support. Orlistat. Surgery (bariatric) if severe.
Prevention
Healthy balanced diet; regular physical activity; limit sugar/alcohol.
When to see a doctor
See GP for: weight loss support; referral to weight management services.