Patient Education: Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity means having too much fat on your body. It happens when you eat more food than your body needs, and the extra food turns into fat. Having too much fat can cause problems with your health.

Causes and Risk Factors

Eating too many calories (from food and drinks)
Not moving or exercising enough
Family history (obesity can run in families)
Some medicines or medical problems
Stress or emotional problems that make you eat more
Getting older makes it easier to gain weight

Signs and Symptoms

Your clothes feel tighter or you need bigger sizes
You gain weight quickly
You feel tired more often
You get out of breath easily, even when walking or doing small activities
You have pain in your knees, hips, or back

Early Warning Signs

Fast weight gain
Feeling very tired or weak
Trouble breathing, especially when lying down or sleeping

Complications if Untreated or Not Following Treatment

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease or stroke
Sleep problems like sleep apnea
Joint pain or arthritis
Some types of cancer
Feeling sad or depressed

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

Eat healthy foods: More fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Less sugary drinks, fried foods, and sweets.
Be active: Try to move for 30 minutes most days, like walking, swimming, or dancing.
Change habits: Learn to handle stress without overeating, keep track of what you eat, and set small goals.
Get support: Talk with family, friends, or support groups to help stay motivated.

Common Medications

Sometimes, if lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may give you medicine to help you lose weight. These medicines:

Lower your appetite
Help your body absorb less fat

Purpose: Help you lose weight safely with your doctor’s help.
Side Effects: Can include upset stomach, headache, faster heartbeat, or trouble sleeping. Always tell your doctor if you have side effects.

Dietary Needs

Eat meals with a balance of food groups
Don’t skip meals — this helps your body stay strong
Drink plenty of water
Limit salty and fatty foods

Lifestyle Changes

Exercise regularly
Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
Manage stress with healthy activities like hobbies or meditation

Safety Considerations

Start exercise slowly if you haven’t been active for a while
Talk to your doctor before starting new medicines or exercise programs
Tell your doctor if you feel sad or depressed

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Keep your healthy weight after you lose weight
Continue eating well and staying active
See your doctor for regular checkups
Avoid quick-fix diets or weight loss tricks

When to Call the Home Health Care Agency or Doctor

Call your home health agency or doctor if you:

Have questions about your medicines or notice side effects
Feel mild symptoms that slowly get worse
Need advice about your diet or exercise plan
Feel more tired than usual but it’s not severe
Have mild swelling in your legs or feet
Feel sad, stressed, or worried and want help
Have new pain or discomfort that you can handle at home
Need help managing your weight or health problems

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Go to the emergency room right away if you have:

Severe chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes
Sudden trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
Severe swelling in your legs, face, or neck
High fever with confusion or severe headache
Sudden dizziness or fainting
Severe pain that does not get better
Signs of an allergic reaction like swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat
Thoughts of harming yourself or others that feel urgent

Patient Homework/Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement below. Mark True or False. If false, write the correct information.

True or False: Obesity means having too much muscle on your body.
True or False: Eating more calories than you use causes obesity.
True or False: Physical activity helps control weight.
True or False: Obesity can increase your risk of diabetes.
True or False: Drinking sugary drinks can lead to weight gain.
True or False: Only children can become obese.
True or False: Losing weight slowly with healthy habits is best.
True or False: Medicines for obesity have no side effects.
True or False: You should talk to your doctor before starting exercise.
True or False: Obesity can cause joint pain and trouble walking.
True or False: Skipping meals helps you lose weight faster.
True or False: Drinking water helps with weight control.
True or False: Obesity can cause sleep problems like sleep apnea.
True or False: Stress can cause people to eat more food.
True or False: Healthy eating means only eating fruits.
True or False: Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep helps your health.
True or False: It’s safe to start hard exercise if you have been inactive.
True or False: Family history can increase your chance of obesity.
True or False: Avoiding fad diets helps keep weight off.
True or False: If you feel very sad, you should tell your doctor.

Personalized Patient Questions

What is your current weight and height?
Have you had any blood tests like blood sugar or cholesterol? What were the results?
What foods do you usually eat in a day?
How much exercise do you get each week?
Are you taking any medicines to help with weight or other health problems?
Do you have pain in your joints or trouble breathing?
Have you noticed changes in your mood or energy?
Does anyone in your family have obesity, diabetes, or heart problems?