Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease that is complex, multifactorial, and develops from the interaction between genotype and the environment. While there is not a complete understanding of how and why obesity occurs, it is known to involve the integration of social, behavioral, cultural, physiological, metabolic, and genetic factors.¹⁴

Two key factors can be used to assess the degree of obesity and the risk factors or comorbidities related to obesity¹⁴:

• Body mass index (BMI)
• Waist circumference

Obesity can often lead to comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.⁸

• 80% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese
• Decreased insulin sensitivity and central obesity are associated with systemic hypertension

Click here to view our Educational Presentations on the relationship between obesity and certain comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension.