What are 5 symptoms of obesity?

Asked by: Mr. Virgil Sawayn  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (2 votes)

Five common symptoms of obesity include joint and back pain, fatigue/difficulty with physical activity, sleep apnea/breathing problems, increased sweating/heat intolerance, and psychological issues like low self-esteem or depression, alongside related health risks like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

What is the first symptom of obesity?

One clear symptom of impending obesity is feeling breathless, even during simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, etc. Even before visible weight gain, you may start noticing low stamina, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

What are the four stages of obesity?

BMI categories for adults 20 and older:

  • Underweight. Less than 18.5.
  • Healthy Weight. 18.5 to less than 25.
  • Overweight. 25 to less than 30.
  • Obesity. 30 or greater.
  • Class 1 Obesity. 30 to less than 35.
  • Class 2 Obesity. 35 to less than 40.
  • Class 3 Obesity. (Severe Obesity) 40 or greater.

What is the biggest indicator of obesity?

The body mass index is a surrogate marker of fatness and additional measurements, such as the waist circumference, can help the diagnosis of obesity. The BMI categories for defining obesity vary by age and gender for adults, adolescents, children and infants.

What are the 5 main causes of obesity?

Five key causes of obesity include sedentary lifestyles/lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets (high in processed foods, sugar, large portions), poor sleep, genetic/biological factors (hormones, family history), and environmental/social influences (food marketing, lack of safe exercise spaces, cost of healthy food). These factors often combine to create an imbalance where calorie intake exceeds energy expenditure, leading to fat storage. 

Obesity, Causes, SIgns and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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How to tell if you're obese?

BMI is used mainly to define different weight groups in adults age 20 years or older.

  1. Underweight: BMI is less than 18.5.
  2. Normal weight: BMI is 18.5 to 24.9.
  3. Overweight: BMI is 25 to 29.9.
  4. Obesity: BMI is 30 or more.

How does sleep affect obesity?

Effects of lack of sleep:

A hormone imbalance in the body that promotes overeating and weight gain. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that regulate appetite, and when you aren't getting sufficient sleep, the production of these hormones is altered in a way that creates increased feelings of hunger.

What foods prevent obesity?

Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Includes a variety of protein foods. Healthful options include seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts, and seeds.

What are the 4 M's of obesity?

The "4 Ms of Obesity" is a framework for comprehensive assessment and management, typically standing for Mental health, Mechanical (physical), Metabolic, and Monetary (or Milieu), addressing the psychological, physical/functional, biochemical, and socioeconomic factors that drive or are affected by obesity, guiding personalized, holistic treatment beyond just diet and exercise. It helps healthcare providers understand the complex drivers, complications (like depression, joint pain, diabetes, financial strain), and barriers to care. 

What are signs your body is burning fat?

Signs of fat loss include clothes fitting looser (especially around the waist), increased energy, improved strength, better sleep, reduced bloating, and seeing more muscle definition, even if the scale doesn't drop dramatically because you might be gaining muscle simultaneously. You might also notice changes in body measurements (like smaller waist circumference) and a lower body fat percentage.
 

How did Kelly Clarkson lose weight so quickly?

Kelly Clarkson's fast weight loss resulted from a combination of lifestyle changes, including significant walking in New York City, a high-protein diet, managing autoimmune/thyroid issues, and using doctor-prescribed medication for her health, emphasizing overall wellness over quick fixes. She integrated regular physical activity (walking), prioritized protein, reduced processed foods, and addressed underlying health conditions with medical guidance, which involved some prescription support, though not necessarily Ozempic.
 

What illnesses can obesity cause?

Living with obesity can also increase your risk of developing many potentially serious health conditions, including: type 2 diabetes. high blood pressure. high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (where fatty deposits narrow your arteries), which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke.

What is the best treatment for obesity?

Treatment for obesity

  • Diet. Diet plans high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates are popular. ...
  • Exercise. A regular exercise program helps people who are obese by helping keep and add lean body mass, or muscle tissue, while losing fat. ...
  • Environmental factors. ...
  • Support groups. ...
  • Medical treatment. ...
  • Surgical treatment.

Is 170 lbs heavy for a woman?

Whether 170 pounds is overweight for a woman depends heavily on her height, body composition (muscle vs. fat), frame size, and fitness level, but for an average height (around 5'4"), a BMI calculator would classify it as the start of the overweight range (BMI 25-29.9) or obesity (BMI 30+). However, averages aren't always healthy, and someone with more muscle mass might be healthy at that weight, while others might need to consider body composition and waist circumference for a complete picture.
 

What is the #1 unhealthiest food?

There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but sugary drinks (soda, sweetened juices), processed meats (hot dogs, bacon), deep-fried foods (fries, donuts), and ultra-processed items (Pop-Tarts, some cereals, frozen meals) consistently rank as top contenders due to high sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and refined carbs, leading to weight gain, inflammation, and chronic diseases.
 

What drink helps you lose weight?

The best drink for weight loss is plain water, as it's calorie-free, boosts metabolism, and helps you feel full, but other great options include infused water, unsweetened green tea, black coffee, and unsweetened almond milk, all of which support fat burning, reduce calorie intake, and replace sugary drinks. Staying hydrated with these choices is key, as it aids digestion, metabolism, and overall body function.
 

What is the 3 3 3 rule for weight loss?

The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based approach focusing on consistency, with common interpretations being three balanced meals, three bottles of water by 3 PM, and three hours of movement per week, or sometimes three protein sources, three fats, and three carbs for simpler meal planning, all aiming to build foundational habits without complex counting. It promotes balanced eating, hydration for metabolism, regular activity, and can help with appetite control, making it a sustainable alternative to restrictive diets.
 

What is the best exercise for obese people?

The best exercises for obese individuals are low-impact activities that support the body and reduce joint strain, such as walking, swimming, cycling (especially recumbent bikes), water aerobics, and yoga/Tai Chi, combined with strength training (bodyweight, bands) and mind-body practices, focusing on gradual progression to build fitness safely and sustainably.
 

What are 10 causes of obesity?

What raises the risk of overweight and obesity?

  • Lack of physical activity. ...
  • Unhealthy eating behaviors. ...
  • Not getting enough good-quality sleep. ...
  • High amounts of stress. ...
  • Health conditions. ...
  • Genetics. ...
  • Medicines. ...
  • Your environment.

Does obesity make you tired?

People who are obese are more likely to report insomnia or trouble sleeping than those who are not obese. There is also evidence to suggest that obesity is associated with increased daytime sleepiness and fatigue , even in people who sleep through the night undisturbed.

How does an obese person feel?

Your weight, along with the emotional toll of being obese, may impact relationships with those closest to you. Anxiety and depression can make social activities less desirable. Just leaving the house may be a challenge. This can cripple your ability to grow and maintain connections with the people you love.

Are there medications for obesity?

The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. The FDA has approved six of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound)—for long-term use.

What are four symptoms of obesity?

Symptoms of Obesity

  • Difficulty in sleeping. Sleep apnoea, daytime drowsiness.
  • Back and/or joint pains.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Intolerance to heat.
  • Infections in skin folds.
  • Fatigue.
  • Depression.
  • Feeling of shortness of breath (dyspnoea).