Obesity - The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat that increases the risk of various health problems. The most common tool to diagnose obesity is the body mass index (BMI), which measures a person's weight in relation to their height.

A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Obesity puts people at risk for serious diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancers. It can also negatively impact someone's quality of life.

Causes of Obesity

Obesity is generally caused by a combination of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Key culprits include:

• Poor diet - Eating high amounts of processed, sugary and fatty foods
• Lack of exercise - Not getting enough physical activity
• Genetics - Carrying genes that make weight gain more likely
• Medications - Some drugs like steroids or antidepressants
• Medical conditions - Issues like thyroid disorders

The best approach is to focus on healthy lifestyle changes - improving your diet, increasing activity levels, and getting good sleep. Programs like The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic provide customized plans including nutrition guidance, fitness coaching, and hormone optimization to help people lose weight safely. I've personally found their holistic approach very effective!

Health Risks

Carrying excessive weight puts strain on your body and vital organs. It raises the likelihood of developing:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Blood clots
• Certain cancers
• Sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Infertility

Losing just 5-10% of your weight can significantly lower these risks and lead to better health. The key is sustainable change through diet, activity, sleep and in some cases, optimized hormone levels.

Treatment Options

If lifestyle changes aren't sufficient, there are medical and surgical options like:

• Prescription weight loss medications - Can help suppress appetite or reduce fat absorption
• Bariatric surgery - Reduces stomach size so you feel fuller faster
• The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic Optimization Therapy - Customized plans help regulate fat storage/burning

Ideally though, natural methods should be tried first before turning to more invasive solutions. Small consistent changes in your nutrition, activity, sleep and hormones can go a long way!

The bottom line is obesity substantially raises the likelihood of various diseases, but is often preventable and treatable through lifestyle improvements. If you're struggling with weight loss, consider holistic medical clinics like The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic that take a personalized approach. Their experience optimizing hormones in relation to healthy metabolism has helped many people successfully slim down and boost overall wellness.