Impact of Obesity
Obesity Is a Prevalent and Costly Disease1
Obesity has a significant clinical and economic impact because it can be the underlying cause of many comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.1
Impact of Obesity
Obesity Is a Prevalent
and Costly Disease1
Obesity has a significant clinical and economic impact
because it can be the underlying cause of many
comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.1
Obesity is a chronic disease, not merely a lifestyle issue2
Why is it so hard to lose weight and why does it return? As shown here, there are multiple factors
that may affect weight loss and weight maintenance.
Science of Obesity
When weight is lost, the body
increases the hunger hormone and
decreases the fullness hormone3
Genetics
Certain genes may play an important role
in how much weight is gained4,5
Behavior
Not enough sleep and lack
of physical activity may be
contributing factors6
Environment
Eating healthy may be challenging
(eg, location, price, time to prepare).
Some individuals have no place to
exercise5,6
All of this information and more in an easy-to-read learning module
Videos
The Science of Obesity Video
Would you like to learn more about the science of obesity? This video provides a basic scientific understanding of obesity, its potential causes, and potential treatments.
Additional Resources
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Taking Action
As an employer, take action to help control
healthcare costs and improve employee
wellness
Taking Action
As an employer, take action to help control healthcare costs and improve employee wellness
Contact us to learn more
References: 1. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al; Reviewers of the AACE/ACE Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(suppl 3):1-203. 2. Recognition of Obesity as a Disease H-440.842. American Medical Association. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/H-440.842?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-3858.xml 3. Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1597-1604. 4. Hebebrand J, Hinney A, Knoll N, Volckmar AL, Scherag A. Molecular genetic aspects of weight regulation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013;110(19):338-344. 5. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723. 6. Schwartz MW, Seeley RJ, Zeltser LM, et al. Obesity pathogenesis: an Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. Endocr Rev. 2017;38(4):267-296.
