Obesity Symptoms
Common Health Problems and Complications Associated with Obesity
Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI
The symptoms of obesity go 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 the disease of obesity. It also describes obesity signs and symptoms in children and adults, as well as possible complications.
What Is Obesity?
Obesity is a chronic condition that occurs when an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat presents a risk to health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 42.4% of the U.S. adult population was affected by obesity.
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:
Excess body fat, particularly around the waist
Shortness of breath
Sweating more than usual
Snoring
Trouble sleeping
Skin problems from moisture accumulating in the folds
Inability to perform simple physical tasks you could easily perform before weight gain
Fatigue, which can range from mild to extreme
Pain, especially in the back and joints
Psychological issues such as negative self-esteem, depression, shame, and social isolation
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:
Fatty tissue deposits (may be noticeable in the breast area)
Stretch marks on the hips and back
Acanthosis nigricans (dark velvety skin around the neck and other areas)
Shortness of breath with physical activity
Constipation
Low self-esteem
Early puberty in biological females/delayed puberty in biological males
Orthopedic problems, such as flat feet or dislocated hips
Childhood obesity rates vary between different groups.
Asian | 9% |
White | 16.6% |
Black | 24.8% |
Hispanic | 26.2% |
Learn More: An Overview of Childhood Obesity
Symptoms of Morbid Obesity
Morbid obesity is a growing health concern in many developed countries of the world today, particularly in the United States.
You're considered to be affected by morbid obesity if:
You're 100 pounds over your optimal body weight.
Your BMI is 40 or higher.
Your BMI is 35 or higher and you have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
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.
Related: 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:
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include extreme hunger (hyperphagia) starting during infancy, early-onset obesity, and hormonal problems.
Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include hyperphagia, severe early-onset obesity, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (when the testicles or ovaries produce little or no sex hormones).
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS): Key symptoms include early-onset obesity, hyperphagia, vision impairment, having an extra finger or toe (polydactyly), and kidney problems.
Let a child's healthcare provider know if you see any of these symptoms.
Related: Childhood Obesity Treatment Options
Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Factors
Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for obesity include:
Lack of physical activity
Unhealthy eating behaviors
Not getting enough sleep
Experiencing high amounts of stress
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.
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:
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Glucocorticoids
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.
BMI | Weight Status |
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5-24.9 | Normal |
25.0-29.9 | Overweight |
30 or greater | Obesity |
40 or greater | Morbid obesity |
Keep in mind that BMI isn’t always an accurate measurement of body fat content. It is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body 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 circumference is 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 inches
A non-pregnant female with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches
Having excessive abdominal fat has been linked to obesity-related conditions, such as:
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Takeaway
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.
Related: Obesity Classes 1 Through 3: Each Category Explained
Complications Related to Obesity
Obesity can contribute to many serious health disorders. Serious health complications that are more likely to occur with obesity include:
High blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease from the heart working harder to pump blood throughout the body
High cholesterol levels (fatty deposits that can block arteries), which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other complications
Type 2 diabetes, which is directly linked to obesity in nearly 50% of cases
Some types of cancer, which are linked to obesity in about 40% of cases
Asthma, plus worse asthma symptoms and control, which leads to more hospitalizations and medication usage
Obese asthma, which is a unique type of asthma found only in some people with obesity
Kidney disease due to kidney damage from chronic high blood pressure
Osteoarthritis from excess strain on the joints, bones, and muscles
Gallbladder disease, which becomes 7% more likely with each step up on the BMI chart
Sleep apnea from fat deposits in the neck and tongue that block airways
GERD, hiatal hernia, and heartburn from excess weight pushing on the valve that's supposed to keep stomach contents out of the esophagus
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 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.
Related: What Are the Causes of Obesity?
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.
Read Next: What Are the Causes of Obesity?
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
