Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. Obesity and overweight are chronic medical conditions and are risk factors for many other chronic medical illnesses.

There are many reasons that a person may experience weight gain. These can include medical conditions, low thyroid hormone levels, PCOS and sleep apnea. Certain medications can promote weight gain, like those used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Menopause weight gain is a common concern. Genetics, family history, childhood experiences, body image, our relationship with food and social determinants of health all play a role. 

 Several common diseases that appear to be separate actually have a common root cause. 1 in 3 people experience metabolic syndrome and the risk increases with age, weight gain and can more commonly occur for men in mid-life and for women with hormone changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. 

All together, metabolic syndrome leads to an increased risk for heart, brain, kidney and liver disease and even cancers of the colon, breast, liver, prostate and uterus. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in both men and women. Treating metabolic syndrome help reduces this risk.