What is Obesity?
More than one billion people globally live with obesity, within Australia 14.3 million people are part of that global number who are overweight or struggling with obesity. If you have been struggling with your weight, you’re not alone. Speaking with an experienced team and doctor can help provide clarity and solutions towards achieving a better you.
Why Obesity Matters & How it can Impact your Life
Obesity is classified as a chronic and progressive health condition in which people have excessive body fat that can have negative impacts on your overall health and lifestyle. Obesity is measured by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI) and is clinically defined as 30 or higher.
Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height squared (in meters). You can use our calculator here to find out your BMI.
Obesity is more than the number that shows on the scales. It significantly increases the risks of developing serious health conditions:
Reasons for Obesity
There are multiple reasons why obesity has increased and these reasons can differ from each person and their circumstances. Recent nutrition studies have resulted that food intake over the last 20 years has significantly increased.
Increased Portion Sizes
Portion sizes are the top contributor for obesity. It is easy for people to over indulge in their favourite food and drink therefore contributing to a higher overall daily calorie intake.
Convenient Food
Fast food has become a staple in almost everyone’s lifestyle. This has contributed to consuming ultra processed foods creating a reliant habit towards the convenient/fast food lifestyle due to the widely accessible selection and aggressive marketing.
Biological & Genetic Factors
Genetics play a role in obesity and can also control how difficult it is to lose weight. Hormonal regulation can impact your metabolism function which can be influenced by medical factors or nutrition. Sleep deprivation and high stress levels have also influenced changes in hunger hormones and fat storage.
Physical Exercise
Physical activity has declined over the years due to the increase of screen-based recreation or not being able to ‘find’ the time to fit exercise into busy schedules. A decrease in physical activity and the increase of a sedentary lifestyle plays a significant role in obesity.
| Category | Body Mass Index (kg/m²) | Over Ideal Body Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | – |
| Normal | 18.5 – 24.9 | – |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | – |
| Obesity (class 1) | 30 – 34.9 | >20% |
| Severe obesity (class 2) | 35 – 39.9 | >100% |
| Severe obesity (class 3) | 40 – 49.9 | – |
| Superobesity | > 50 | >250% |
