- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
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- Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome
- Speech and Language Problems in Children
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack
- Tremor
- Walking Problems
- West Nile Virus
- A1C
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
- Diabetes Complications
- Diabetes in Children and Teens
- Diabetes Medicines
- Diabetes Type 1
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- Diabetic Diet
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- Diabetic Nerve Problems
- How to Prevent Diabetes
- Hyperglycemia
- Metabolic Syndrome
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- Abortion
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Diseases
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breastfeeding
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
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- Endometriosis
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- Health Problems in Pregnancy
- High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
- HIV and Pregnancy
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- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Drug Use
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- Child Nutrition
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- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
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- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
- Infant and Newborn Nutrition
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- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Nutrition for Older Adults
- Pregnancy and Nutrition
- Toddler Nutrition
- Triglycerides
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- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
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- Jaundice
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
- Speech and Communication Disorders
- Stuttering
Obesity
Summary
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.
Obesity happens over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might affect your weight include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active.
Obesity increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. If you have obesity, losing even 5 to 10% of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases. For example, that means losing 10 to 20 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Statistics and Research
- Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Cancer and Obesity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Diabetes Interactive Atlas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Overweight and Obesity Statistics National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Aim For a Healthy Weight National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Balance Food and Activity National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
- Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Body Mass Index Table National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Obesity Screening National Library of Medicine
- Screening for and Management of Obesity in Adults U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Men
- Belly Fat in Men: Why Weight Loss Matters Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Women
- Belly Fat in Women: Taking — and Keeping — It off Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Pregnancy and Obesity: Know the Risks Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Patient Handouts
- Body mass index Medical Encyclopedia
- Health risks of obesity Medical Encyclopedia
- Obesity Medical Encyclopedia
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) Medical Encyclopedia
Health Check Tools
- Calculate Your Body Mass Index National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Obesity National Institutes of Health
Genetics
- Congenital leptin deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Leptin receptor deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Proopiomelanocortin deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Teenagers
- Dealing With Feelings When You’re Overweight (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
Start Here
- Defining Adult Overweight & Obesity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Healthy Weight Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
- Obesity Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Are Overweight and Obesity? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Related Issues
- Disability and Obesity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Obesity American Society of Anesthesiologists
- Obesity Endocrine Society
- Obesity and Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Obesity and Your Digestive Health American College of Gastroenterology
- Staying Active at Any Size National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Find an Expert
- Find a Nutrition Expert Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Find an Obesity Medicine Clinician Obesity Medicine Association
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Specifics
- Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Obesity American Psychological Association
- Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Understanding Adult Overweight and Obesity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Weight Management and Healthy Living Tips National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Children
- Obesity in Children: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Journal Articles
Treatments and Therapies
- Weight Control: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Weight Loss Surgery: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine