Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Obesity?Symptoms in AdultsSymptoms in ChildrenSymptoms of Morbid ObesityCausesDiagnosisComplicationsNext in Obesity GuideWhat Are the Causes of Obesity?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Obesity?
Symptoms in Adults
Symptoms in Children
Symptoms of Morbid Obesity
Causes
Diagnosis
Complications
Next in Obesity Guide
The symptoms ofobesitygo beyond excess body fat. People with obesity may experience skin problems,shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and more.
Some symptoms may increase the risk of developing certain diseases and disorders. In some cases, these may be life-threatening or even fatal.
This article explains the difference between being overweight and having thedisease of obesity. It also describes obesity signs and symptoms in children and adults, as well as possible complications.
Verywell / Lara Antal
Symptoms of Obesity in Adults
The American Medical Association considers obesity itself a disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated.That’s due to symptoms and complications that are common among people with obesity.
Common symptoms of obesity in adults include:
Symptoms of Obesity in Children
The CDC says the rate of childhood obesity in the U.S. has tripled in the last 50 years.In 2020, nearly 20% of American children and adolescents (ages 2 to 19) were considered to have obesity.
Common childhood obesity symptoms may include:
Childhood obesity rates vary between different groups.
An Overview of Childhood Obesity
Morbid obesityis a growing health concern in many developed countries of the world today, particularly in the United States.
Morbid obesity is also called extreme obesity or class III obesity. It can make it hard to complete everyday activities such as walking and can make it hard to breathe. It also raises your risk of many serious health conditions.
Obesity: Coping, Support, and Living Well
Causes of Obesity
There are many underlying factors that can contribute to obesity.
Genetic Factors
Early-onset obesity can develop in kids due to rare genetic disorders. These disorders involve genes that play a role in regulating appetite and energy expenditure.
These conditions and their effects include:
Let a child’s healthcare provider know if you see any of these symptoms.
Weight Loss Help for Kids Who Aren’t Losing Weight
Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Factors
Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for obesity include:
Socioeconomic status is another factor associated with obesity. Studies show that people with a lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have a higher BMI. For example, children in lower-income families are more likely to have obesity than those in high-income households.
Why There’s Controversy About the Use of BMI Values
Diseases and Conditions
Certain medical problems or health conditions may cause weight gain. They include:
Medications
Certain medications can also contribute to weight gain. They include:
Diagnosing Obesity
To diagnose obesity, a healthcare professional uses two measurements to assess health risks related to your weight.
Body mass index
Body mass index (BMI)is a number that’s calculated using your height and body weight.
The following chart shows how your BMI corresponds to your weight status.
BMIWeight StatusBelow 18.5Underweight18.5-24.9Normal25.0-29.9Overweight30 or greaterObesity40 or greaterMorbid obesityKeep in mind that BMI isn’t always an accurate measurement of body fat content. BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.For example, muscle weighs more than fat, so some athletes might have a BMI that suggests clinical obesity even when they have very little body fat.Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.Waist CircumferenceWaist circumferenceis measured at a point halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.According to the CDC, you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:A male with a waist circumference greater than 40 inchesA non-pregnant female with a waist circumference greater than 35 inchesHaving excessive abdominal fat has been linked to obesity-related conditions, such as:Type 2 diabetesHigh blood pressureCoronary artery diseaseWhile your waist circumference is often a better predictor of health risk than your BMI, it too has its limitations. That said, it’s important for healthcare providers to look at the complete picture of your weight and health before making a diagnosis of obesity.What Are the Different Classes of Obesity?Complications Related to ObesityObesity can contribute to many serious health disorders. Serious health complications that are more likely to occur with obesity include:High blood pressure (hypertension)orheart diseasefrom the heart working harder to pump blood throughout the bodyHigh cholesterollevels(fatty deposits that can block arteries), which can lead tostroke,heart attack, andother complicationsType 2 diabetes, which is directly linked to obesity in nearly 50% of casesSome types ofcancer, which are linked to obesity in about 40% of casesAsthma, plus worse asthma symptoms and control, which leads to more hospitalizations and medication usageObese asthma, which is a unique type of asthma found only in some people with obesityKidney diseasedue to kidney damage from chronic high blood pressureOsteoarthritisfrom excess strain on the joints, bones, and musclesGallbladder disease, which becomes 7% more likely with each step up on the BMI chartSleep apneafrom fat deposits in the neck and tongue that block airwaysGERD,hiatal hernia, andheartburnfromexcess weight pushing on the valve that’s supposed to keep stomach contents out of the esophagusWhen such health conditions are present, they can cause serious long-term disabilities and even increase one’s risk of death.People with obesity are known to experience a shortened lifespan because of this.Negative Impact of Weight BiasPeople who are classified as having clinical obesity can experience weight-related stigma.Health and social settings often place blame on these individuals for their weight status in spite of evidence highlighting the influence of genetic factors. As a result, people who are classified as having clinical obesity are often stereotyped as lazy, unintelligent, and undisciplined.Experiencing weight discrimination has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing depression, eating disorders, and patterns of low physical activity.Can Obesity Increase Your Risk of Fractures?SummaryObesity (defined as a BMI over 30) can occur in adults and children. It causes symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain, among others. Obesity can also cause psychological problems including low self-esteem and depression due to social stigma.Health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure often go hand-in-hand with obesity. Resulting complications include heart problems, stroke, and kidney disease.What Are the Causes of Obesity?
Keep in mind that BMI isn’t always an accurate measurement of body fat content. BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.
For example, muscle weighs more than fat, so some athletes might have a BMI that suggests clinical obesity even when they have very little body fat.
Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Waist Circumference
Waist circumferenceis measured at a point halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.
According to the CDC, you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:
Having excessive abdominal fat has been linked to obesity-related conditions, such as:
While your waist circumference is often a better predictor of health risk than your BMI, it too has its limitations. That said, it’s important for healthcare providers to look at the complete picture of your weight and health before making a diagnosis of obesity.
What Are the Different Classes of Obesity?
Complications Related to Obesity
Obesity can contribute to many serious health disorders. Serious health complications that are more likely to occur with obesity include:
When such health conditions are present, they can cause serious long-term disabilities and even increase one’s risk of death.People with obesity are known to experience a shortened lifespan because of this.
Negative Impact of Weight BiasPeople who are classified as having clinical obesity can experience weight-related stigma.Health and social settings often place blame on these individuals for their weight status in spite of evidence highlighting the influence of genetic factors. As a result, people who are classified as having clinical obesity are often stereotyped as lazy, unintelligent, and undisciplined.Experiencing weight discrimination has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing depression, eating disorders, and patterns of low physical activity.
Negative Impact of Weight Bias
People who are classified as having clinical obesity can experience weight-related stigma.Health and social settings often place blame on these individuals for their weight status in spite of evidence highlighting the influence of genetic factors. As a result, people who are classified as having clinical obesity are often stereotyped as lazy, unintelligent, and undisciplined.Experiencing weight discrimination has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing depression, eating disorders, and patterns of low physical activity.
People who are classified as having clinical obesity can experience weight-related stigma.Health and social settings often place blame on these individuals for their weight status in spite of evidence highlighting the influence of genetic factors. As a result, people who are classified as having clinical obesity are often stereotyped as lazy, unintelligent, and undisciplined.
Experiencing weight discrimination has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing depression, eating disorders, and patterns of low physical activity.
Can Obesity Increase Your Risk of Fractures?
Summary
Obesity (defined as a BMI over 30) can occur in adults and children. It causes symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain, among others. Obesity can also cause psychological problems including low self-esteem and depression due to social stigma.
Health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure often go hand-in-hand with obesity. Resulting complications include heart problems, stroke, and kidney disease.
What Are the Causes of Obesity?
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 of higher. Here’s what that means.What Are the Classes of Obesity?Symptoms of ObesityObesity: Not Just Calories In/Calories OutWhat is Involved in an Obesity Diagnosis?Learn About How Obesity Is Treated and ManagedHow to Prevent Obesity: Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle Strategies
Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 of higher. Here’s what that means.
What Are the Classes of Obesity?
Symptoms of Obesity
Obesity: Not Just Calories In/Calories Out
What is Involved in an Obesity Diagnosis?
Learn About How Obesity Is Treated and Managed
How to Prevent Obesity: Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle Strategies
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