Obesity is more than weight—it’s a complex disease that can be linked to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease. Take the first step toward better health by understanding the science of obesity.
Check your Waist-to-Height Ratio
Why do I need to calculate this?
BMI can only screen for obesity, it can’t measure body fat distribution which may indicate one's risk of heart related conditions. For that you need to calculate your Waist-to-Height Ratio
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Your waistline tells a story about your health
Fat around the waist—visceral fat—can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, even with a healthy BMI. Measuring your waistline gives you key insights to take control of your health.
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Test your knowledge
Are you curious to understand the link between obesity and heart health? Take this quick quiz to find out their connection and prevalence around the world. Discover facts about these diseases and test your knowledge.
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Speak your heart out
We understand that discussing obesity and weight is not easy. That’s why we have created a guide to help you have an open and meaningful conversation with your health care provider.
You’re not lazy, obesity is a complex disease
Managing weight isn’t as simple as eating less and moving more. Genetics, environment, and other factors all play a role in your weight and the development of obesity. You’re not alone in this. See how others are taking charge of their health.
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+1 Billion
People are living with obesity worldwide, highlighting the complexity
of the disease and the urgent need for comprehensive obesity
care.
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40-70%
Of the risk of developing obesity can be attributed to genetics,
highlighting that it's not just about willpower but also biological
factors.
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+200
Obesity is associated with more than 200 health complications.
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<0.5 ratio
For a healthier heart, your waist should be less than half your height.
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5%
Reduction in excess weight can improve heart health and quality of life.
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2.9 x
People living with obesity are 2.9 times more likely to achieve their weight management goal when working with an obesity expert.
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Managing your weight
Explore scientifically-proven obesity management options and make a
plan to meet your goals.
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Join the Community
Discover a reliable source for all things obesity and connect with
like-minded people on your weight management journey through our
newsletter.
Find your local weight management provider
Talk to your weight management provider about treatment options that could prevent the weight you lose from coming back.
References:
- T-P-3166: A systematic review and evaluation of current evidence reveals 236 obesity-associated disorders
- Lopez-Jimenez, F. et al. (2022) ‘Obesity and cardiovascular disease: Mechanistic insights and management strategies. A joint position paper by the World Heart Federation and World Obesity Federation’, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 29(17), pp. 2218–2237. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwac187.
- Ashwell, M. (2011) ‘Charts based on body mass index and waist-to-height ratio to assess the health risks of Obesity: A Review’, The Open Obesity Journal, 3(1), pp. 78–84. doi:10.2174/1876823701103010078.
- Powell-Wiley, T.M. et al. (2021) ‘Obesity and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association’, Circulation, 143(21). doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000973.
- Lau DCW, Wharton S. Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines: The Science of Obesity. Available from: https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/science.
- NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet. 2024 Mar 16;403(10431):1027-1050. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2.
- Jackson Leach R, Powis J, Baur LA, Caterson ID, Dietz W, Logue J, Lobstein T. Clinical care for obesity: A preliminary survey of sixty-eight countries. Clin Obes. 2020 Apr;10(2):e12357. doi: 10.1111/cob.12357. Epub 2020 Mar 3. PMID: 32128994.
- Waalen J. The genetics of human obesity. Transl Res. 2014 Oct;164(4):293-301. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2014.05.010.
- Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, Garber AJ, Hurley DL, Jastreboff AM, Nadolsky K, Pessah-Pollack R, Plodkowski R; Reviewers of the AACE/ACE Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL CARE OF PATIENTS WITH OBESITY. Endocr Pract. 2016 Jul;22 Suppl 3:1-203. doi: 10.4158/EP161365
- Griauzde DH, Turner CD, Othman A, Oshman L, Gabison J, Arizaca-Dileo PK, Walford E, Henderson J, Beckius D, Lee JM, Carter EW, Dallas C, Herrera-Theut K, Richardson CR, Kullgren JT, Piatt G, Heisler M, Kraftson A. A Primary Care-Based Weight Navigation Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2412192. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12192
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