Obesity (Excess Weight)

Obesity (excess weight) is defined as having excessive amount of body fat. This disorder arises when you have a high calorie intake but you do not burn enough energy due to inactivity. Obesity (excess weight) is not an outcome of inactivity alone but can be attributed to other factors as well. These may include:

• Genetics: your genes may affect the amount of body fat you store

• Family lifestyle: family members share similar eating habits therefore chances are that one or both of your parents are obese, you have a higher risk of getting obese

• Psychological factors: some people tend to over eat in response to negative emotions such as anger, sadness or boredom

• Certain illnesses: certain illnesses can lower the metabolism or increase appetite leading to obesity

• Certain medications

​You should take obesity (excess weight) seriously as it is not just a cosmetic concern, it is a serious disorder. Obesity can lead to bigger health problems such as heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.

When to seek expert advise

If your BMI is above 30 or you are concerned about your general health due to an increase in your weight, you can visit a doctor at the Family Health Services for a consultation about your health disorder.

You can also visit a doctor at the Internal Medicine Service Line at the Aga Khan University Hospital if your obesity is caused by another medical disorder.​

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