If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes than people at a normal weight. These risk factors can speed up the development of atherosclerosis, the progressive buildup of plaque in your arteries.
Obesity, simply defined as having too much body fat, can increase your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Even if you have no other risk factors, your body fat can have an effect on how much stress is placed on your heart and cardiovascular system, putting you in the "red zone" for heart disease risk.
But it’s not only the amount of body fat that is important. Body shape plays a role too. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), people who carry extra weight around their waists (think of it as being "apple-shaped") are at greater risk for heart disease than people who carry extra weight below the waist ("pear-shaped").
What Causes Obesity?
When people eat too many calories and/or don’t use up the calories they consume, they can gain weight, which can raise their risk for heart disease.
Recent research is pointing to another cause of obesity — genetics. The rate at which your body converts food to energy, called metabolism, can vary from person to person. Your metabolism can affect how your body processes the fat in your diet. While genes can sometimes determine if you will develop certain conditions that can lead to obesity disorders, in some cases, genetics may merely increase the chance of becoming obese.
How Is Obesity Diagnosed?
Measuring your waistline and body mass index (BMI) are two common ways to determine body fat. For women, a waistline 35 inches or higher is considered high-risk for abdominal obesity, potentially increasing the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). For men, a waistline 40 inches or higher is considered high-risk.
The BMI formula is a helpful measure of body composition because it provides a good estimate of body fat based on your height and weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, the normal BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is labeled overweight, and a BMI of 30 or above is called obese. Not sure what your BMI is? Use the calculator* below to find your ideal weight.
*The BMI calculator is provided for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice and may not represent your true individual medical situation. It does not take all possible factors into account in its assessment of your healthy weight. For example, it may overestimate body fat in very muscular individuals or in people who are less than 5 feet tall, and may underestimate body fat in people who have lost muscle mass, such as the elderly. Do not use this information to make significant changes in your diet, your exercise regimen, or other aspects of your lifestyle without consulting your doctor.
The Keys to Treating Obesity
If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about the health risks associated with carrying extra weight. Your doctor can also help you figure out ways to lose weight safely. The first step may be to get more exercise and change to a heart-healthy diet that includes more fiber, fruits, and vegetables and is low in saturated fats and cholesterol. It’s the lifestyle choices you make every day that can have a big impact. Learn more about why lifestyle counts.
Sometimes, though, you might need some extra help in achieving your weight goal. Currently, there are a few types of drugs approved by the FDA for weight loss and weight maintenance. Some drugs work by preventing triglycerides from being changed to fats that can be absorbed. Other medications can be used for short-term weight-loss treatment (12 weeks or less). These drugs work like amphetamines and help curb hunger by increasing levels of hormones in the brain that can control your appetite.