All the same, the conversation around weight is changing. Weight bias exists, and discussing body size comes at an emotional toll for many people. Therefore, certain healthcare professionals may target lowering your risk of associated diseases, rather than focusing on BMI alone.

If your doctor believes that treating obesity may help lower your risk of or help manage chronic conditions, and you choose to work with them, there are multiple options to consider. Here, we explore the different treatment approaches to obesity, including dietary changes, medications, and complementary and integrative approaches.

To lose weight and maintain it, the age-old advice is to avoid taking in more calories than you burn in a given day. But when considering obesity, the causes are more complex than simply calories in and out. According to the CDC , obesity may be caused by a combination of the following factors:.

Your social, home, work, and community environments may also increase the risk for obesity. According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , not having access to outdoor parks or stores with healthy foods can also contribute.

Long-term stress is another risk factor to consider. According to the NHLBI , the following strategies may help with obesity:.

You may also consider working with a therapist or psychologist to help you with behavioral modifications that can improve your chances of sticking with healthy diet and lifestyle changes while also learning stress management. Research has long established a link between mental health conditions and obesity, though this relationship is complicated.

According to the Obesity Action Coalition , people with mental health conditions may be up to 2 to 3 times more likely to develop obesity and related health diseases. The Obesity Action Coalition identifies the following mental health conditions that may be associated with obesity:. On the flip side, having obesity may also increase the risk of developing mental health conditions, such as depression.

The CDC found that 43 percent of adults with depression also had obesity, and women who were obese were particularly at risk for developing depression. According to the NHLBI , the following oral and injectable medications are approved by the U.

Food and Drug Administration FDA for adults with obesity:. While medications are available to help treat overweight and obesity, the majority are for adults only. Furthermore, lack of access is another issue. According to a report published in in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine , fewer than 2 percent of people in the United States with overweight and obesity are ever prescribed weight loss medications.

Researchers believe this is due to a combination of factors:. Below are a few questions you may ask to help you get started:.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians AAFP , surgery may also be an option if you have obesity-related health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea.

There are multiple types of bariatric surgeries. According to the NHLBI, one of the following methods may be recommended:. Your insurance company may have specific requirements, such as proof of trying other methods first. According to the AAFP, the amount of weight you may lose could be significant at first, then taper off after two years.

Continued weight loss — and eventually maintenance — may be achieved when surgery is combined with diet and lifestyle changes. However, the following complementary approaches may help with other obesity treatments by increasing self-awareness:. Another area of potential interest is the practice of acupuncture.

In a study , acupuncture was thought to decrease overall BMI in participants by helping regulate the neuroendocrine system, which affects metabolism and eating behaviors. Still, as with other complementary weight loss methods, acupuncture works best with other treatments, and more research needs to be done to prove its efficacy in obesity management.

As such, there are multiple treatment options available should your doctor recommend that you need them. While individual treatment plans may vary, obesity management will likely include multiple approaches, including diet, lifestyle changes, behavioral modifications, and possible medications or surgeries.

Talk with your healthcare team about all these options, including the benefits and drawbacks in your individual case.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Health Conditions A-Z. Best Oils for Skin Complementary Approaches Emotional Wellness Fitness and Exercise Healthy Skin Online Therapy Reiki Healing Resilience Sleep Sexual Health Self Care Yoga Poses See All. Atkins Diet DASH Diet Golo Diet Green Tea Healthy Recipes Intermittent Fasting Intuitive Eating Jackfruit Ketogenic Diet Low-Carb Diet Mediterranean Diet MIND Diet Paleo Diet Plant-Based Diet See All.

Consumer's Guides: Understand Your Treatments Albuterol Inhalation Ventolin Amoxicillin Amoxil Azithromycin Zithromax CoQ10 Coenzyme Q Ibuprofen Advil Levothyroxine Synthroid Lexapro Escitalopram Lipitor Atorvastatin Lisinopril Zestril Norvasc Amlodipine Prilosec Omeprazole Vitamin D3 Xanax Alprazolam Zoloft Sertraline Drug Reviews See All.

Health Tools. Body Type Quiz Find a Doctor - EverydayHealth Care Hydration Calculator Menopause Age Calculator Symptom Checker Weight Loss Calculator. See All. DailyOM Courses.

About DailyOM Most Popular Courses New Releases Trending Courses See All. By Kristeen Cherney, PhD. Medically Reviewed. Kacy Church, MD. Diet Mental Health Jump to More Topics. Various Factors Can Contribute to Obesity To lose weight and maintain it, the age-old advice is to avoid taking in more calories than you burn in a given day.

Diet and lifestyle changes are at the forefront of any obesity treatment plan. According to the NHLBI , the following strategies may help with obesity: Reduce your daily calorie intake gradually. Consider adopting a heart-healthy eating plan, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet.

Gradually add physical activity that you enjoy to your daily life, and ask your doctor how to safely begin an exercise program. Equitable access to obesity prevention and treatment is also needed to slow the obesity epidemic.

Policy makers and community leaders can work to ensure that their communities, environments, and systems support a healthy, active lifestyle for all. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search. Español Other Languages. What Can Be Done.

Minus Related Pages. Connect with Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. fb icon twitter icon youtube icon alert icon. Last Reviewed: September 15, Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address. Email Address. What's this?

Think about your needs and goals for treatment. Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may include:. Be sure to let your health care team know about any medical conditions you have and about any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you take.

During your appointment, your health care professional is likely to ask you a number of questions about your weight, eating, activity, mood and thoughts, and any symptoms you might have. You may be asked questions such as:. If you have time before your scheduled appointment, you can get ready for the appointment by keeping a diet diary for two weeks before the appointment.

You also can record how many steps you take in a day by using a step counter, called a pedometer. Obesity care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To diagnose obesity, your health care professional may perform a physical exam and recommend some tests. These exams and tests often include: Taking your health history.

Your health care team may review your weight history, weight-loss efforts, physical activity and exercise habits. You also may talk about your eating patterns and appetite control.

Your health care professional may ask about other conditions you've had, medicines you take, your stress levels and other issues about your health. They may also review your family's health history to see if you may be more likely to have certain conditions.

A general physical exam. This includes measuring your height; checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen.

Calculating your BMI. Your health care professional checks your body mass index, called BMI. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity. Numbers higher than 30 increase health risks even more. Have your BMI checked at least once a year.

This can help pinpoint your overall health risks and what treatments may be right for you. Measuring your waist size.

The distance around your waist is known as the circumference. Fat stored around the waist, sometimes called visceral fat or abdominal fat, may further increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Women with a waist that measures more than 35 inches 89 centimeters and men with a waist that's more than 40 inches centimeters around may have more health risks than do people with smaller waist measurements. Like the BMI measurement, waist circumference should be checked at least once a year.

Checking for other health problems. If you have known health problems, your health care team will evaluate them. Your health care professional also will check for other possible health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, underactive thyroid, liver problems and diabetes.

Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your obesity-related health concerns Start Here. More Information Obesity care at Mayo Clinic Cholesterol test Liver function tests BMI and waist circumference calculator Show more related information.

Request an appointment. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Overweight and obesity. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Dec. Goldman L, et al. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Kellerman RD, et al.

Obesity in adults. In: Conn's Current Therapy Feldman M, et al. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management.

Perrault L. The surgeon uses a gastric sleeve or a gastric band to make the stomach smaller. The procedure enables food to bypass parts of the digestive system, specifically the first part of the mid-section of the small intestine. It may also reduce the size of the stomach.

This is generally more effective than restrictive procedures, but there is a higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as the body can no longer absorb as many nutrients. Learn more about the different types of weight-loss surgery her e. Small trials show that hormone treatments may assist in weight loss among people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Harnessing these hormones could lead to novel, non-surgical options. However, research in the field is lacking, and further large-scale studies are necessary to fully assess the impact of hormonal treatments for obesity.

Some of these — such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure — come under the umbrella of metabolic syndrome, a collection of features that often occur together, frequently with excess weight and obesity.

Help is available for people who are concerned that they have too much weight. A change in diet and an increase in exercise can help in many cases. Strict diets can be challenging to follow, and people may not always have the time or ability to exercise.

However, a variety of simple lifestyle…. A new motivational intervention technique is very effective in keeping people on track with their weight loss efforts, a recent study demonstrates.

Some foods and beverages, including beans, whole grains, and fizzy beverages, can lead to gas and bloating.

Learn more about the causes and prevention…. Obesity refers to when a person is carrying excess weight. It can put them at higher risk of a number of health conditions. Learn more here. There are several ways to measure body weight and composition.

Learn how to tell if you have overweight with these tests, including BMI. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What are the treatments for obesity? Medically reviewed by Angela M. Examples include:. You should also do strength exercises and balance training 2 days a week. This could be in the form of a gym workout, carrying shopping bags, or doing an activity such as tai chi.

It's also critical that you break up sitting sedentary time by getting up and moving around. Your GP, weight loss adviser or staff at your local sports centre can help you create a plan suited to your own personal needs and circumstances, with achievable and motivating goals.

Start small and build up gradually. It's also important to find activities you enjoy and want to keep doing. Activities with a social element or exercising with friends or family can help keep you motivated. Make a start today — it's never too late. Read more about the physical activity guidelines for adults and the physical activity guidelines for older adults.

You may need to exercise for longer each day to prevent obesity or to avoid regaining weight if you've been obese. To prevent obesity, 45 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a day is recommended. To avoid regaining weight after being obese, you may need to do 60 to 90 minutes of activity each day.

Your GP or weight loss adviser will be able to advise you further about the type of exercise you should do and for how long taking into account your current fitness level and individual circumstances.

Evidence has shown that weight loss can be more successful if it involves other strategies, alongside diet and lifestyle changes. This could include things like:. Getting psychological support from a trained healthcare professional may also help you change the way you think about food and eating.

Techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy CBT can be useful. It's important to remember that as you lose weight your body needs less food calories , so after a few months, weight loss slows and levels off, even if you continue to follow a diet.

If you go back to your previous calorie intake once you've lost weight, it's very likely you'll put the weight back on. Increasing physical activity to up to 60 minutes a day and continuing to watch what you eat may help you keep the weight off.

Many different types of anti-obesity medicines have been tested in clinical trials , but the only ones that have proved to be safe and effective for use on the NHS for weight management are orlistat, liraglutide and semaglutide. You can only use orlistat if a doctor or pharmacist thinks it's the right medicine for you.

Orlistat is available on prescription from your doctor, or you can buy it at a lower dose from a pharmacy. Products available directly from pharmacies are Alli and Orlos, which must be taken under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Orlistat works by preventing around a third of the fat from the food you eat being absorbed. The undigested fat is not absorbed into your body and is passed out with your poo.

This will help you avoid gaining weight, and may help you to lose weight. You'll need to start eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly before beginning treatment with orlistat, and continue this during treatment and after you stop taking orlistat. Orlistat will usually only be recommended if you've made a significant effort to lose weight through diet, exercise or changing your lifestyle.

Before prescribing orlistat, your doctor will discuss the benefits and potential limitations with you, including any potential side effects. Follow your doctor's advice about how to take it, and the instructions that come with your medicine.

It usually starts to affect how you digest fat within 1 to 2 days. If you have not lost weight after taking orlistat for 3 months, it's unlikely to be an effective treatment for you.