This is What You Need to Know About the Severity of Obesity
More than 2 in 5 adults in the United States have obesity, a complex, chronic health conditionthat can be difficult to treat over the long term. But all too often, the condition is reduced to a single number or framed as a personal failure.
This guide is designed to help you understand how obesity is defined, what “severity” really means, and why it matters for your overall health. Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis or struggling to manage the condition, this information can help you work with your care team to make the best decisions for your health.
How Is Obesity Diagnosed? Obesity is a chronic condition in which excess body fat builds up over time, increasing the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Obesity is diagnosed using body mass index (BMI), a tool that assesses whether the weight you’re at may increase your risk of health problems. It’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. In adults, a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity.
Excerpted from Everyday Health
