Is obesity a disease?

What is obesity?

Obesity is commonly defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. A BMI of over 40 is considered severe obesity. However, BMI has its limitations. For example, athletes may have a high BMI due to having a lot of muscle. BMI ranges for obesity are also different in certain ethnic groups. Waist circumference may also be used to measure obesity, by measuring your waist.

Is it my fault I have obesity?

It’s important to understand that obesity is a complex condition. Try to avoid blaming yourself for having obesity. There are many factors, often working together, that can lead to obesity.

Obesity can be the result of an obesogenic environment. This means that our surroundings make it harder to do enough exercise and have a healthy diet. Below are aspects of an obesogenic environment.

• Ultra-processed, high-calorie foods are often cheap and easy to find. This makes them more convenient than healthier whole foods. They contain a lot of sugar and fat but have few vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Eating too much ultra-processed foods has been linked to weight gain and obesity. Portion sizes and plate sizes are larger now than in the past.
• There is less opportunity to do more physical activity. Fewer jobs involve physical work, and many people use a car or public transport rather than walk.

Is obesity genetically inherited?

Genetics can play a role in obesity. Between forty to seventy percent of obesity risk may come from your inherited traits. You can’t control what genes you have but your genes do influence your health.

Many genes have been found to be involved in the development of obesity. Some gene variants can affect your metabolism, which is how well your body breaks down food into energy. Others affect your appetite and fullness cues.

The hormone leptin signals to your brain when you’re full and controls food intake. Some people with obesity might inherit problems with this hormone. They may also have genetic variants that make their brains resistant to leptin. This can lead to over-eating and weight gain.

Even if your genes increase your risk of obesity, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you achieve a healthy weight.

Can poor mental health lead to obesity?

If you have depression, low self-esteem or stress, it can affect your eating habits and you might not be motivated to exercise. You might turn to comfort foods that are high in fat, sugar, and calories.

If you are under a lot of stress, it can affect how well you sleep. Lack of sleep can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to increased hunger and weight gain.

You may know that people can get addicted to things like alcohol, drugs, and gambling. It is also possible to become addicted to food. Eating food can make us feel good, especially foods high in fat and sugar. This is because our brain releases a chemical called dopamine which is linked to pleasure. So this can make us want to eat more to get the pleasurable feeling. People who have obesity may also have food addiction.

Food addiction is not the same as binge eating, which is an eating disorder. But both can involve over-eating.

It’s important to seek help if you need support with your mental health. Seeing a GP is a good first step. They can help you to get the right support and treatment. This can be medication or talking therapies.

What are the health risks of obesity?

Having obesity can lead to serious health problems. It can increase your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. It can also affect your fertility.

Obesity doesn’t just affect your physical health. It can also lead to developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

What treatment is there for obesity?

The best way to achieve a healthy weight is to improve your diet and eating habits. Doing more physical activity will help you too.

If diet and exercising haven’t helped you, there are other treatment options available.

• Weight management medications such as orlistat, Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide. Your doctor can help decide which medication is best for you.
• Surgery such as gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric banding may be considered if you have a BMI of over 40.

Getting to a healthier weight can be a way to reduce the health effects of obesity. You can see your GP for help with getting started.