Obesity is a much more complex disease and issue that involves excessive amounts of body fat in an individual. Obesity is much more than a cosmetic concern, as it is also a medical concern that affects health issues within different areas for an individual like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Obesity can occur with many different factors helping, which is why obesity is one of the highest rating issues the United States is dealing with, with a whopping 41.9%, as of March 2020, of Americans dealing with obesity. All of these factors often make losing weight difficult. Many times, it has been seen that obesity is inherited by physiological factors and environmental factors which are combined with certain lifestyle choices and diet.

However, there is good news when it comes to obesity, modest weight loss can have impactful positive effects on an individual’s health. With more exercise, a healthier diet, and behavioral changes made, many individuals are able to have an impactful weight loss success. In some situations, medical professionals may need to help out in part with an individual’s weight loss; however, big or small, getting to a healthy weight and maintaining it is a huge success.

There are three classes of obesity depending on your BMI rating. BMI is an individual’s calculated body mass index, this is calculated with the individual’s weight and divided by the square of their height. To receive accurate measurements to complete a body mass index rating, it will need to be completed in kilograms and meters.

It’s quite easy to find a body mass index calculator now, as they are easily found through a simple search on the internet. If you cannot calculate it or need help, a healthcare professional can do the calculation for you. The standardized classifications for body mass index are:

• Less than 18.5 – underweight
• 18.5 to <25 – healthy weight range
• 25.0 to <30, overweight range
• Greater than 30 – obesity range

The class ratings in which you will fall once your body mass index is calculated include:

• Class 1: BMI 30 t0 <35
• Class 2: BMI 35to <40
• Class 3: BMI over 40, which is often classified as severe obesity.

With obesity becoming a top common issue, as well as a costly disease, it shows a direct link between rising health concerns and obesity.

Yes, obesity is a medical condition. While obesity is known on a behavioral level, there are genetic and metabolic as well as hormonal influences that can take place to change an individual’s body weight. Obesity will occur when an individual is taking in more calories than they are burning through exercise and daily activities. The body will store all of these excess calories and put them into fat.

In the United States, many individuals’ diets are too high in calories, which is often in the part of conveniences like fast food, and high-calorie beverages. Many of the individuals who are considered obese will eat more calories before their body notifies them that they are full, they will then feel hungry sooner than individuals who eat fewer calories, or even eat more due to stressful times or situations and anxiety.

In the world today, many are now in jobs that are either less physically demanding, or from home, so they are not burning as many calories at work as they once were. Even with the daily activities, they may be involved in, they are still intaking more calories than they are burning, especially with the use of escalators, online shopping, drive-thru banks, and remote controls.

If you are becoming concerned with your weight or if you are dealing with weight-related health issues, it is best to notify an obesity doctor and look into obesity management. You and your physician will evaluate your health risks, and discuss further weight-loss options available for you.

The kind and compassionate professionals at Metabolic Medical Centers can answer all your questions regarding weight loss. We serve patients from Mount Pleasant SC, Irmo SC, West Ashley SC, Murrells Inlet SC, Columbia SC, Bluffton SC, Sullivans Island SC, Isle of Palms SC, Daniel Island SC, Charleston SC, James Island SC, North Charleston SC, Pawleys Island SC, Myrtle Beach SC, Hilton Head SC, and Hardeeville SC.