Obesity advice for you and your family

Obesity is fast becoming one of the developed world's most serious health problems. Being obese can take up to nine years off your life and make you far more susceptible to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and many other conditions. Here we provide the basic facts about obesity and how to deal with it.

What is obesity?

• Obesity means you have reached a weight that is harmful to your health.
This does not mean reaching one particular weight or waist measurement, but the risk of illness does increase with every extra pound and added inch. Almost a quarter of the UK population is obese and another 40% overweight.

Why am I so overweight?

• The principal cause of obesity is eating too much and not getting enough exercise. The key to curing obesity is getting the balance right between energy consumed as food, and energy burnt off as exercise.
• People with diabetes will find it harder than others to lose weight. Others may be on drugs, or have medical conditions that cause weight gain.

How can you tell that I’m obese?

• Body Mass Index (BMI) system. (This is worked out by taking your weight in kilograms and dividing it by your height in metres squared. A BMI of 25-30 counts as overweight; 30 and above is obese. Calculate your BMI.
• Waist circumference is a far better guide if you’re trying to lose weight. Measure your waist with a tape measure, measuring just above the hip bone at the side, while breathing out. A waist measurement of more than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women constitutes obesity.

What are the risks of being obese?

If you live a physically active life, it’s possible to be obese and otherwise healthy. But for many people, obesity is an underlying factor that could lead to:

• heart disease,
• diabetes,
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure,
• strokes and many other conditions including
• liver disease,
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
• depression

If you have any of these conditions, or a family history of diabetes or heart disease, it’s particularly important to seek medical advice. Losing weight rapidly reduces all these risk factors.

Dieting and exercise don’t work for me. Can I try weight-loss drugs?

• Weight-loss drugs have an important role in the management of obesity. Not only do they cause a reduction in weight, but they also reduce the risk of diabetes and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can assess whether you fit the criteria for these medications.

Am I eligible for obesity surgery?

• Eligibility depends not only on your size, but also on any obesity-related condition that you may have, whether you are fit enough to have the operation, and whether you have been fully assessed by a multi-disciplinary team before being considered for surgery. It is something you should discuss with your doctor. Generally, a person with a BMI of 40 is eligible for bariatric surgery, assuming their doctor agrees, and someone with a BMI over 35 with diabetes or sleep apnoea can also be considered.

What operations are available?

• Gastric banding procedures are becoming more popular, where an inflatable ring is placed around the top of the stomach to restrict food intake.
• A gastric bypass operation combines stomach banding with a surgically reduced length of bowel, thereby causing weight loss by two different methods.

How can I prevent my children from becoming obese like me?

• Encourage your children to eat healthily and to be physically active.
• Don't force them to finish off their plateful of food; let hunger be their guide.
• If you’re about to have children then it’s essential to eat well and be active in pregnancy, as your baby will be better equipped to avoid obesity and overeating if you do.

Related websites

NHS