Obesity
Obesity: A Brief Overview
Obesity is a complex and increasingly common disease that is associated with many health risks, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and even death. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to prevent many serious health problems. When you have obesity, your body weight is too high for your height, often due to excess body fat. Obesity can develop at any age and is considered a chronic (long-term) condition.
Catherine (Cate) Varney, DO, FAAFP, FOMA, DABOM shares why its important to take a holistic approach to weight loss for people who struggle with obesity.
Obesity Essential Information
Obesity
Find out more about obesity including symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment options.
Weight Issues in Children
As children grow and develop, weight changes are normal. If you’re concerned about your child’s weight, talk to your doctor.
Obesity and Pregnancy
Women who have obesity can have healthy pregnancies. It is important to receive regular prenatal care to manage risks
Obesity Risk Factors
Emotional Eating
Emotional eating is eating in response to your emotions or out of boredom. Emotional eaters eat for comfort rather than because they’re hungry.
Overeating in Children and Teens
A child’s eating habits develop early in life, perhaps between the ages of 1 to 2 years. What can you do to help your child keep a healthy weight and avoid overeating?
Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental health condition. It is an obsession with food and weight that harms a person’s emotional and physical well-being.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is the term used to describe a set of risk factors for heart disease. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes or high blood sugars.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance means your body is unable to respond to the amount of the hormone insulin it is producing. Having obesity, an inactive lifestyle, and a diet high in carbohydrates are the primary causes of insulin resistance.
Obesity Treatment
Prescription Weight-Loss Medication
Prescription weight-loss medicines are only for people who have obesity. Most of these medicines are designed for people who weigh 20% or more above what is ideal for their height and body type.
Weight-loss Surgery
Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) involves surgically reducing the size of your stomach so you aren’t able to eat as much. This means that your body absorbs less food.
Healthy Eating
Dietary Fat: What’s Good and What’s Bad
Certain fats should be part of your diet. But you should make sure you’re eating good fats instead of bad fats.
Nutrition: How to Make Healthier Food Choices
The choices you make about what you eat and drink matter. They should add up to a balanced, nutritious diet. A healthy diet fuels your body and gives you energy.
Nutrition Tips for Kids
Healthy eating habits are more likely to stay with you if you learn them as a child. That’s why it’s important that you teach your children good habits now.
Paleo Diet
The staples of the paleo diet are lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats and oils.
Nutrition: Tips for Improving Your Health
Good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life. You can improve your health by keeping a balanced diet.
Exercise
Why Exercise?
Exercise is powerful medicine. It prevents health problems, builds strength, boosts energy, and can help you reduce stress.
Fitness Habits to Make
Getting movement each day is essential. Not only will it help you keep up with your family, but keeping physically active also can help prevent a number of diseases, including heart disease and certain forms of cancer.
The Exercise Habit
Daily exercise is a good habit and important for a healthy mind and body. If you want to commit to exercising, schedule it as part of your daily routine. Try to do it the same time every day.
Keeping Your Child Active
More children and teens have overweight or obesity than ever before. It is important for your child to be active. Physical activity helps prevent or reduce health problems.
At-A-Glance Guides
