WEIGHT LOSS - What is Obesity?

Obesity used to be understood in fairly simple terms, excess body weight resulting from eating too much and exercising too little, due in large part to a lack of willpower or self-restraint. Fortunately for the millions of American adults who are overweight, obesity is now regarded as a chronic medical disease with serious health implications caused by a complex set of factors.

Recognized since 1985 as a chronic disease, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death, exceeded only by cigarette smoking. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gall bladder disease, fatty liver disease, and many cancers to name a few. Obesity affects 58 million people across the nation and its prevalence is increasing. Approximately one-third of adults are estimated to be obese.

Obesity results from a complex interaction of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors causing an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in body weight of 20 percent or more above desirable weight is the point at which excess weight becomes an established health hazard. Lower levels of excess weight can also constitute a health risk, particularly in the presence of other disorders like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Overweight and obesity are frequently accompanied by other medical conditions complicating matters further. At Contour Medical, our staff is trained to detect and treat these conditions, which might go undetected and untreated in a non-medical weight loss program along assist in healthy lifestyle changes conducive to weight loss.

A successful weight loss program requires careful nutritional assessment and professional medical advice. At Contour Medical, several different measures are used to evaluate a patient's weight status and potential health risk. A complete evaluation includes assessments of a person's age, height and weight, fat composition and distribution, and the presence or absence of other health problems and risk factors.

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