Diet and Weight Loss Losing Weight

Why Weight Matters: Obesity and Your Health

Summary & Participants

Think watching your weight is just a cosmetic concern? Think again. Gaining too much weight can lead to serious health risks, and an estimated 300,000 Americans die every year from obesity-related problems. Tune in for an expert look at the causes and consequences of obesity.

Medically Reviewed On: July 10, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ROBERT KUSHNER, MD: Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes in this country. Obesity is the number one reason why diabetes is increasing in this country. It is fueling that disease. In addition to diabetes, obesity is also linked to increased risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, certain cancers, in addition to psychological and emotional problems, as well as quality of life changes. It eventually leads to earlier death.

VAREN BLACK: What are the leading causes of obesity?

ROBERT KUSHNER, MD: The most significant factor really is our lifestyle. That's the only way that we can understand why the numbers of obese patients or individuals has risen so quickly. Again, that's the food that's everywhere and the physical inactivity.

But what's also important to mention is that genetics plays a role. We currently think that genetics determines a vulnerability to our environment which then brings out the obesity.

There are other causes, although less common. They include, drug induced obesity, such as people on different corticosteroids,different hormonal agents, people with diabetes. Those medications can increase body weight, not to mention things like antidepressants and other drugs used for mental health disorders.

Rarely is an underlying medical condition a cause for obesity. That would be something like Cushing's syndrome or different kinds of glandular problems. But they are, once again, very uncommon.

VAREN BLACK: What is the first step in getting treatment for obesity? Where does a person go for help?

ROBERT KUSHNER, MD: There are several places an individual can go for help. One is, and the first that I would recommend, is to see his or her doctor. A doctor should be playing an active role as a partner in helping you get control of your body weight. The doctor can also make sure that you don't have an underlying problem that's being caused from the obesity or causing the obesity itself. That needs to be ruled out right away. Once you've done that, you can either work with your doctor or work with a registered dietitian or seek help with some of the commercial programs that are available that can be very helpful.

VAREN BLACK: Thank you so much for being with us. I'm glad we had the chance to talk to you about it and learn more about obesity.

ROBERT KUSHNER, MD: You're welcome. Thank you for having me.

VAREN BLACK: You're welcome. And thank you for being with us. I'm Varen Black.

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