Understanding Obesity

Obesity, which refers to excess body fat, affects one in three adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. A wide range of medical conditions are associated with obesity. Some of these conditions include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Respiratory issues
• Osteoarthritis

Obesity Assessment

Many people who are overweight may not qualify for weight-loss surgery. Your treatment options depend on how much you weigh. Two common methods to measure obesity include Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference.

You can calculate your BMI using this simple tool:

We recommend you speak to your doctor if your BMI is above 25.

Waist circumference is another way to measure obesity. Waist circumference is measured in the area above your hips but below your rib cage. Waist sizes are categorized into two categories: healthy and unhealthy.

For women, it’s considered unhealthy to have a waist size above 35 inches. For men, a waist size of 40 inches or more is considered unhealthy.