Obesity is a complex issue or disease that involves an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. It is also a medical concern that can affect health problems in many different areas, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers.

Obesity can be caused by many factors and this is why many people can have difficulty losing weight. Often, obesity comes from inherited physiological factors, environmental factors that are combined with diet, and lifestyle choices.

The good news related to obesity is that modest weight loss can have positive effects on your health, a healthier diet, more exercise, and a few behavioral changes will have an impact on weight loss. In certain situations, medical professionals will need to play a part in weight loss.

There are many factors that cause obesity such as behavioral, genetic, metabolic, and hormonal influences. The most common cause is when you take in more calories than the body needs. These surplus calories are deposited in the body as fat.

In the United States, most people consume too many calories. The ease of fast food and the pleasure of high-calorie beverages fuel this weight gain. People who are obese may eat more calories before they feel full, or feel hungry sooner. They may also eat more due to issues of stress and anxiety.

A societal impact comes from the fact that most people now have jobs that are not physically demanding. Thus, they don’t use up as many calories throughout their day. Other parts of our lives have become more convenient, requiring people to burn fewer calories, things like shopping online, escalators, or drive-thrus.

Obesity is gauged according to a person’s Body Mass Index BMI. The person’s weight is divided by the square of their height. (These measures are done in kilograms and meters.)

You can find many BMI calculators on the internet, or a health care provider can help.

The standard classifications for BMI are as follows – if your BMI is:

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

Obesity is often divided into three categories or classes:

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

Obesity has become a very common problem and is a costly disease in America. The figures show that up to 42.4% of the U.S. population was obese in 2017-2018. This is an increase from 30.5% in the 1999-2000 time period.

Since there is a direct link between obesity and health issues, this raises the frequency of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and some cancers, and is among the leading causes of shortening life expectancy in the U.S.

Bariatric physicians are doctors that specialize in treating people who help in maintaining a healthy weight. They have taken specialized training on treatments for obesity and other ways to improve people’s health through positive lifestyle choices.

Many people will confuse bariatric physicians with bariatric surgeons. Seeing a bariatric physician will not necessarily lead to getting surgery. They have many other tools available. They will often create a weight management program ideally suited to the individual they are working with.

Some people are able to be successful in weight management by seeing a primary care physician or nutritionist. But there are some unique benefits from working with a bariatric physician. You will get a multifaceted approach to weight management. You will get good dietary advice. Behavioral therapy may be a part of the process and is available from a bariatric physician or in their clinic. Exercise plans that match your physical abilities are part of this management plan. If there are underlying health issues, they will address those. Seeing a bariatric physician is really a holistic approach to weight management.

The kind and compassionate professionals at Metabolic Medical Centers can answer all your questions. 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.