What is Obesity & What Causes It?

Obesity is a complex disease that can be caused or exacerbated by genetics, behavior and environment. Healthcare providers diagnose obesity based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and other symptoms. It can lead to a number of health problems and complications like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

What causes obesity is the repeated act of eating too much and moving too little. When a person consumes large amounts of fats and sugars but does not burn off the energy through exercise or physical activity, the surplus is stored as excess fat.

Obesity can diminish your overall quality of life. For example, you may not be able to participate in activities you once loved, you may start to avoid public spaces, or you may even encounter discrimination. Additional weight-related issues that may affect your quality of life include:

• Depression
• Disability
• Sexual problems
• Shame and guilt
• Social isolation
• Lower work achievement

What causes obesity?

Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal influences on body weight, obesity occurs when a person regularly consumes more calories than they burn through exercise or normal daily activities.

Although each of us must take responsibility for our own health, it’s difficult for many Americans to achieve successful weight management because of environmental influences like limited access to resources, poor knowledge of nutrition and health, increased exposure to fast-food restaurants, and limited physical activity.

What are the risk factors of obesity?

Obesity is often caused by a number of contributing factors, including:

• Family genetics
• Poor nutrition
• Certain diseases
• Certain medications (e.g., antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, etc.)
• Social and economic issues
• Age
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Inactivity

What is obesity treatment?

The goal of obesity treatment is to help people who are obese reach and stay at a healthy weight. Throughout your weight loss journey, you may work with healthcare professionals like a dietitian, behavioral counselor or obesity specialist.

The most common bariatric procedures include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, gastric band, biliopancreatic diversion and revision surgery. Dr. Beltre is a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of expertise in bariatric surgery. He works tirelessly to help those in his care improve their quality of life.

What are the benefits of obesity treatment?

The benefits of undergoing a weight loss procedure include:

• Long-term remission of type 2 diabetes
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Relief from depression
• Elimination of obstructive sleep apnea
• Relief from joint pain
• Improved fertility

Obesity is rising at an alarming rate. More than one-third of people in the United States alone are considered obese. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool that can help resolve your weight issues and realize sustained relief.

If you’re considering a weight loss procedure, contact Beltre Bariatrics at 321-499-6505 to schedule an initial consultation. After reviewing your family and personal medical history, Dr. Wiljon Beltre will work closely with you to determine which procedure is best for your unique needs.