Overweight
Overweight is the accumulation of excess fat in the body that results in a weight above what is considered healthy.
Symptoms and Causes
Overweight is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Unlike obesity, it is a condition associated with a lower burden of comorbidities, although it still carries a risk of developing serious chronic diseases. Nevertheless, if not properly managed in a timely manner, it can easily progress to obesity.
Body mass index (BMI) determines whether a person is overweight. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²), thereby assessing whether weight is appropriate for a person's height. A person is considered overweight when their BMI is between 25 and 29.9 kg/m², which can be classified into two categories:
- Grade I overweight: BMI between 25 and 26.9 kg/m².
- Grade II overweight or pre-obesity: BMI between 27 and 29.9 kg/m².
Overweight is a condition in which body weight exceeds the healthy range and requires close monitoring to prevent progression to obesity, which is itself considered a chronic disease.
In recent years, the prevalence of overweight has increased considerably worldwide, negatively affecting people's health. Even so, the prognosis is favorable, as weight loss reverses associated complications almost immediately.
Symptoms
The characteristic symptoms of overweight include:
- BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m².
- Waist circumference greater than 80 cm in women and greater than 90 cm in men.
- Fatigue, particularly during physical exertion.
- Mild joint pain, mainly in the knees and hips when bearing weight.
- Mild shortness of breath during everyday activities, such as climbing stairs.
- Elevated blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
- Early insulin resistance.
- Sleep disorders: snoring, insomnia, or sleep apnea.
- Intolerance to high temperatures.
Causes
The most common causes of overweight are:
- Imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. This may result from overeating, a sedentary lifestyle, or both.
- Physical inactivity.
- An unhealthy diet rich in processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Chronic stress: elevated cortisol levels promote fat accumulation.
- Sleep deprivation: causes hormonal alterations that increase hunger and reduce satiety.
- Endocrine disorders: certain conditions disrupt hormone levels and contribute to weight gain, such as hypothyroidism.
- Certain medications: antidepressants, corticosteroids, or hormonal therapies may contribute to overweight.
Risk Factors
The main factors that increase the risk of being overweight are:
- An unhealthy lifestyle characterized by an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity.
- Family history of overweight and obesity.
- Older age: metabolism slows down over time.
- Limited access to healthy foods.
- Hormonal changes.
Complications
The most significant complication of overweight is obesity (BMI above 30 kg/m²). In addition, excess body weight is frequently associated with the following conditions:
- Hypercholesterolemia.
- Hypertension.
- Joint pain.
- Arthritis: inflammation, pain, and stiffness of the joints.
Prevention
The best way to prevent overweight is to adopt a healthy lifestyle characterized by:
- Following a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats such as olive oil. Consumption of saturated fats and sugars, especially in beverages, should be limited.
- Limiting salt intake.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Exercising regularly.
Which specialist treats overweight?
Overweight is managed within the specialties of Family and community medicine and Endocrinology and Nutrition.
Diagnosis
Overweight is diagnosed through the following process:
- Medical history: the patient's personal and family medical history is reviewed, and lifestyle habits are assessed.
- Comprehensive physical examination to evaluate heart rate, blood pressure, joint mobility, and overall health status.
- Waist measurement.
- BMI calculation.
In most cases, blood tests are requested to determine whether there are any health problems associated with overweight.
Treatment
Overweight does not require a specific treatment, as modifying both diet and lifestyle is usually sufficient to reduce excess body fat. Daily physical activity and adherence to a balanced diet are recommended.
