Obesity is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide

Obesity is a condition in which excess build-up of fat leads to potentially adverse health conditions. Hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, and even cancer are more likely in people who are obese. And while multiple factors may be involved in how obesity develops in the first place, certain lifestyle and nutritional changes may be the best way to improve the condition.

Obesity is common, affecting between 10 and 14 percent of adults worldwide and approximately 25% of Canadian adults.¹ It is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity has recently been called a disease; is a medical concern because of the secondary health problems associated with it. Risks linked to obesity include heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, breathing problems and kidney and liver diseases. ²* Even losing a portion of the excess fat, around 10 percent, can substantially reduce the risk of many of these secondary conditions.³

While obesity is ultimately a condition caused by an imbalance between caloric intake and daily energy expenditure,multiple factors, such as genetics, culture,environment or amount of sleep and specific medications can lead to such an imbalance and may influence unintended weight gain. While some of these factors are out of a person’s control, certain lifestyle habits may be adapted to decrease the risk of developing associated medical conditions.

As a caloric imbalance is the primary cause of obesity, correcting this imbalance may be the most effective way to address it. Both increasing activity (burning more calories) and reducing intake (eating fewer calories) can help restore a proper energy balance. At Nestlé Health Science, we are actively engaged in developing nutritional therapies to help improve conditions like obesity and the quality of life of people with such conditions.

*Risks and symptoms are not all-inclusive, patients may have different experiences.