Obesity (overweight)

 

2: Risk Factors, Diagnosis

What are the risk factors?

The obvious risk factors for obesity are eating too many high calorie foods, and exercising too little, or a combination of both. As discussed earlier, various forces are acting to influence these behaviors. The following lifestyle factors may add to the likelihood risk of gaining excess weight:

1. Lack of time to prepare healthy meals
2. Lack of education about healthy versus unhealthy foods
3. Lack of access to healthy foods
4. Lack of time or no desire to exercise regularly
5. Being sedentary at home or at work In addition, certain life circumstances seem to be very conducive to gaining weight.

The college years a common period of weight gain. And many women find it very difficult to lose the weight they gained during pregnancy. Some medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, can actually cause people to gain weight. Most often, the causes are not medical, but are lifestyle-related.

Key Points
1. The main risk for obesity is eating too many calorie-rich foods and not getting enough exercise
2. Many lifestyle issues add to the risk, including lack of time to prepare healthy meals, lack of time or desire to exercise, and being sedentary at work or home
3. Medical conditions can cause obesity, but most cases are due to lifestyle issues

How is it diagnosed?

Obesity and overweight do not really require diagnosis. The easiest and quickest way to determine if you are obese or overweight is to calculate your BMI. This is a number that represents your weight in relation to your height. A normal BMI will measure to be between 18 and 25. A BMI of 25 to 29 is considered overweight. A BMI of over 30 is considered to be obese. An online source that can help you calculate your BMI can be accessed at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm. Another way to determine whether or not you are overweight or obese is to compare the ration of waist circumference to hip circumference. A higher ratio indicates that more fat is carried in the abdominal area in relation to the hips and buttocks. The higher the ratio, the greater the risk of heart disease. Determining waist-to-hip ratio requires careful and precise measurements, and is best done in a healthcare provider’s office.

Key points
1. BMI is the most convenient way to determine if you are overweight or obese. To determine your BMI, visit: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm.
2. Waist-to-hip ratio is another good way to determine if you are overweight and at higher risk of heart disease; this should be done in a healthcare provider’s office

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