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Obesity in Women

Table of Contents

Obesity in Women

Obesity and Weight Loss

Image by TheVisualMD

How Obesity Affects Women

3 slices exposing the fat and muscle of a overweight woman

Image by TheVisualMD

Obesity and Women's Health

Women are slightly more likely (40%) than men (35%) to have obesity. Obesity specifically affects some different aspects of women’s health.

Fertility: Women who have obesity are more likely to have problems getting pregnant than are women who are at a healthy weight.
Lifetime hormonal changes: Obesity changes reproductive hormone levels as women age.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is the most common hormone disorder among women of childbearing age (between about age 15 and 45). Most women with PCOS also have obesity.
Disease risk: Women with obesity are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer than are women without obesity.

Pregnancy risks and complications

Having obesity can affect your health and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Having obesity before pregnancy or gaining too much weight during pregnancy can raise the risk of preterm birth and a baby that is larger than gestational age (larger than they should be at that week of pregnancy). This can lead to problems during delivery for the mother and baby. It can also affect the future health of your child. Talk to your provider about how much weight you should plan to gain during your pregnancy. They can help you set a goal based on your pre-pregnancy BMI.

Several health problems are more common in pregnant women who have obesity. They can cause serious complications during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. It makes it hard for your body to properly break down and store energy from food, causing high levels of glucose in your blood. This can affect both you and your developing baby.
Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that starts during the second half of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is a combination of high blood pressure during pregnancy with signs that your organs are not working well, such as high protein levels in your urine. It can lead to life-threatening seizures.
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your throat muscles relax and you temporarily stop breathing while sleeping. This disrupts your brain’s healthy sleep rhythms and can leave you exhausted upon waking. It can be fatal if severe and not treated.

Your provider will monitor you closely during pregnancy. You should also watch for warning signs of problems, such as high blood pressure, during and after pregnancy. Some warning signs are a worsening headache, overwhelming tiredness, dizziness, trouble breathing, chest or belly pain, swelling, or nausea. If you feel like something is wrong, get medical care right away.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Additional Materials (6)

5:35

Time to act on obesity: why is it so difficult to lose weight?

Michigan Medicine/YouTube

4:33

Kaiser Permanente Study Encourages Obese Women to Gain No Weight During Pregnancy

Kaiser Permanente Thrive/YouTube

1:13

Healthy Dose: Obesity on the Rise for Women, But Not Men

Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

2:50

80% of black women are overweight

CNN/YouTube

4:21

Obesity: How it affects fertility, pregnancy and other gynecological areas

Barnes-Jewish Hospital/YouTube

2:30

Obesity Can Have Implications Specific to Women | UCLA Vital Signs

UCLA Health/YouTube

Obesity Screening

Obesity Screening

Obesity screening checks whether extra body fat increases your risk for serious health problems. It uses your BMI (body mass index) to estimate body fat. Most adults and children ages 2 and older should be screened with a BMI at least once a year.

Obesity Screening

Obesity screening checks whether extra body fat increases your risk for serious health problems. It uses your BMI (body mass index) to estimate body fat. Most adults and children ages 2 and older should be screened with a BMI at least once a year.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
kg/(m<sup>2</sup>)
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Your result is Healthy weight.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates that you are at a healthy weight for your height. By maintaining a healthy weight, you lower your risk of developing serious health problems.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
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Your result is Healthy.
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Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
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Your result is Excellent.
Related conditions
Obesity screenings check for obesity and overweight in adults and children, starting as early as age 2. In general, having obesity and being overweight both mean that your weight is higher than what is considered healthy for your height:
- Obesity means that you have too much body fat.
- Overweight usually means that you have too much body fat. But the extra weight may come from muscle, bone, and/or holding too much water in your body.
Extra fat from obesity and overweight increases your risk of developing serious, long-lasting health problems, such as:
- Heart and blood vessel diseases, including heart attack and stroke
- High blood cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Arthritis
- Certain types of cancer
The more fat you have, the higher your risk of developing these problems. Children who have obesity may develop many of the same health problems as adults with obesity. They are also more likely to have obesity in adulthood and develop serious health problems later in life.
Obesity screening helps find out if too much body fat could be a health concern for you. Measuring body fat is difficult and expensive. So, obesity screening estimates how much body fat you have. The estimate is made with a calculation called a BMI (body mass index).
BMI for adults ages 20 and older is calculated from height and weight information. The result is a number called a BMI score. Higher BMI scores are linked to larger amounts of body fat and a higher risk for certain health problems. For most adults:
- A healthy weight is a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight is a BMI between 25 and 29.9
- Obesity is a BMI of 30 and above
BMI for children over age 2 and teens is also based on weight and height. But age and sex are part of figuring out if a child or teen has too much body fat. That's because the normal amount of body fat is different at each stage of growth. And the normal amount of fat is different for boys and girls.
To adjust for these differences, your child's BMI is compared to standard growth charts for children of their age and sex. The result is called a BMI percentile. For example, if your child's BMI is in the 25th percentile, it means that 25% percent of children the same age and sex have a lower BMI, and 75% percent have a higher BMI.
Because height and weight changes with growth, your child's BMI will be tracked over time to understand if obesity or overweight may be a health problem. For most children and teens:
- A healthy weight is a BMI between the 5^th and 85^th percentile.
- Overweight is a BMI between the 85^th and 94^th percentile.
- Obesity is a BMI in the 95^th percentile or higher.
A BMI is a fairly accurate way to screen most people for too much body fat, but it's not perfect. Your BMI can't tell if your weight is from extra fat or muscle. This means a very muscular person could have a BMI in the overweight range even though they don't have too much body fat.
Also, some people who have a healthy BMI may still have high amounts of body fat. This may be more common in groups that tend to have lower BMI scores, such as Asians and older adults who have lost muscle. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about how accurate a BMI is for your body type.
An obesity screening is usually part of a routine checkup that includes a physical exam. Your provider will measure your height and weight. That information is usually entered into an online BMI calculator. If you know your height and weight, you can find your BMI online:
- Use this BMI calculator for adults.
- Use this BMI percentile calculator for children and teens.
Your provider may also use other tests to estimate how much body fat you have. These include:
- A waist measurement. Adults who have too much fat around their abdomen (belly) have an increased risk of developing conditions related to obesity. Even if you have a healthy BMI, your risk may be high if your waist size is:
  More than 40 inches for men
  More than 35 inches for women who aren't pregnant
- Skinfold measurements. A skinfold test measures the thickness of pinch of skin and fat at several places on your body. A special tool gently measures skinfolds on your belly, back, thigh, the back of your upper arm, and/or other places on your body. The results are used to estimate how much of your body is fat.
If your obesity screening shows that you may have too much body fat, your provider may ask questions to help find out why. This often includes discussing your:
- Medical history and medicines you take. Some health conditions cause people to gain weight, such as metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (in females only). Your provider may order blood tests to confirm or rule out these and other conditions.
  Many medicines can cause weight gain, too. Examples include:
  Certain antidepressants
  Beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure
  Steroids, which are often used to treat autoimmune disease
  Certain diabetes medicines
- Eating habits. Obesity and overweight develop over time when you take in more calories than you use. So, your provider will want to know how much you eat and drink. What you eat and drink matters, too. Too much saturated fat and sugar can cause weight gain.
- Physical activity. A lack of physical activity is linked with weight gain. Your provider will want to know how much exercise you get and how much time you spend sitting.
- Sleep habits. Not getting enough sleep or poor-quality sleep can make you more likely to overeat. That's because sleep affects hormones that control hunger.
- Stress levels. Stress can affect your brain and trigger changes in your hormones that make you eat more and store more fat.
- Family history. You're more likely to become obese if close family members have obesity. You may have inherited genes that affect weight. The eating and exercise habits of the people around you can affect your habits and weight, too.
If an obesity screening shows that you have obesity or are overweight, your provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan. The goal of the plan is to reduce your risk of health problems linked to extra body fat.
Your plan will depend on how much weight you need to lose and the cause of your weight gain. Most plans are likely to include lifestyle changes, such as:
- Eating a healthier, lower calorie diet
- Getting more exercise
- Getting enough good-quality sleep
Depending on your BMI and health, you provider may also suggest:
- Support from a dietary or nutritional counselor
- A behavioral weight-loss treatment program
- Prescription weight-loss medicines combined with lifestyle changes
- Weight loss surgery or devices, such as balloons, that are put in the stomach to help you lose weight
If you have questions about obesity screening or treatments to lower your BMI, talk with your provider.
1. Obesity Screening: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jul 05, 2023]

Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index

Also called: BMI, Quetelet Index

Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat calculated from a person's height and weight. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

Body Mass Index

Also called: BMI, Quetelet Index

Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat calculated from a person's height and weight. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
kg/(m<sup>2</sup>)
18.5
25
30
35
40
Your result is Healthy weight.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates that you are at a healthy weight for your height. By maintaining a healthy weight, you lower your risk of developing serious health problems.
Related conditions

BMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on the following formulas:

Measurement Units

Formula and Calculation

Kilograms and meters (or centimeters)

Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]²

With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Because height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.

Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)² = 24.98

Pounds and inches

Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]² x 703

Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.

Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’5″ (65″)
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)²] x 703 = 24.96

The correlation between the BMI and body fatness is fairly strong, but even if 2 people have the same BMI, their level of body fatness may differ.
In general,
- At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
- At the same BMI, Blacks have less body fat than do Whites, and Asians have more body fat than do Whites
- At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
- At the same BMI, athletes have less body fat than do non-athletes.
The accuracy of BMI as an indicator of body fatness also appears to be higher in persons with higher levels of BMI and body fatness. While, a person with a very high BMI (e.g., 35 kg/m²) is very likely to have high body fat, a relatively high BMI can be the results of either high body fat or high lean body mass (muscle and bone). A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
People who have obesity are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
- All-causes of death (mortality)
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
- Sleep apnea and breathing problems
- Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
- Low quality of life
- Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
- Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (20)

Normal BMI for Kids

Body mass index (BMI) is one way of finding out if your child (age 2-19) is at a healthy weight. There is no universal normal range for kids as there is for adults. That's because the normal amount of body fat changes with age and height and also depends on whether the child is a boy or a girl.

Image by TheVisualMD

Body Mass Index

8 women with the same Body Mass Index rating (BMI - 30) but with different weight distribution and abdominal volume, so they have different Body Volume Index(BVI) ratings.

Image by Richard2902 at en.wikipedia

Body Mass Index

A woman's two bare feet standing on a bathroom scale with a glass-topped surface on a tile floor. Toenails are painted red. Image supports content advising readers to set goals regarding improvements to their health and well-being, including maintaining a healthy weight and nutritious diet, and getting adequate exercise

Image by Bill Branson, NIH

Body Mass Index

Image by BruceBlaus

Woman on scale

A woman's two bare feet standing on a bathroom scale with a glass-topped surface on a tile floor. Toenails are painted red. Image supports content advising readers to set goals regarding improvements to their health and well-being, including maintaining a healthy weight and nutritious diet, and getting adequate exercise

Image by TheVisualMD

Weight Loss | How To Calculate BMI | StreamingWell.com

Video by streamingwell/YouTube

Why BMI Is BS

Video by Seeker/YouTube

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Obesity and its health risks are a growing problem in the United States. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of adults are either overweight (10 to 30 pounds heavier than recommended) or obese (more than 30 pounts heavier than recommended). The number of overweight and obese school-age children is also on the rise. This is especially alarming given what is known about how obesity increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. A way to measure obesity is the BMI or body mass index, a measurement of weight categories based on height.

Image by TheVisualMD

BMI Calculator For Women And Men & What is BMI ?

Video by KidandParent/YouTube

Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass, with Introduction on Body Mass Index, Animation.

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Calculate your own body mass index | Miscellaneous | Heatlh & Medicine | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 1): An Epidemic for Every Body

Video by UCTVTips/YouTube

Our Supersized Kids

Video by KSPS Public TV/YouTube

Four body types to show classes of body mass index

Drawing of four body types to show classes of body mass index.

Image by NIDDK Image Library

Breaking Down Under Pressure

When you’re obese (body mass index of over 30), you greatly raise your risk of developing OA, especially of the knee. Women who are overweight women have four times the risk and overweight men have five times the risk of developing knee OA as people of normal body weight.

Image by TheVisualMD

Body mass index chart

Graph of body mass index showing the various divisions.

Image by InvictaHOG/Wikimedia

Underweight - Body image rating scale for men and women.

Figure 1. Body image rating scale for men and women. Images 1 through 5 represent people who are underweight, images 6 through 9 represent people of normal weight, images 10 through 13 represent overweight people, and images 14 through18 represent obese people (11).

Image by CDC / Ettarh R et al.

Overweight Man Holding Beer Bottle

Three-dimensional visualization reconstructed from scanned human data. Lateral view of head and torso of overweight man with large belly holding beer bottle; the skeleton and internal organs are visible. Regular beer drinkers tend to be overweight or obese, due to the high number of calories alcohol contributes to their diet. A body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat calculated by dividing a person's body weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters, and is considered useful in determining health risks associated with being overweight or obese. A normal body mass index (BMI) is considered to be under 25, while overweight is under 30; anything greater than a value of 30 is considered to be obese. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many health conditions and diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep problems, gallbladder disease, sexual dysfunction, and some cancers.

Image by TheVisualMD

Obese Woman, cross section

Traditionally, obesity has been defined as a weight at least 20% above ideal weight. More recent guidelines call for classifying obesity by using the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. However, BMI may classify as obese some people who aren't overweight but who are heavily muscled or big-boned. It also doesn't take into account the person's age. Waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) may be a better indication of disease risk, because they indicate if you have a lot of dangerous visceral fat inside your abdomen. Some doctors feel it's possible to be classified as obese and still be physically fit.

Image by TheVisualMD

US Navy 110426-N-00332-114 Students measure the height and body weight of fourth and fifth grade students from Lindenwood Elementary School

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (April 26, 2011) Logistics Specialist 1st Class Alhaji M. Kabba, a command fitness leader aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), measures the height and body weight of a student from Lindenwood Elementary School. Sailors assigned to Theodore Roosevelt spent 10 weeks mentoring the students about the Navy's culture of fitness to prepare them for participation in the Navy Physical Fitness Assessment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory C. Asato/Released)

Image by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory C. Asato/Wikimedia

Normal BMI for Kids

TheVisualMD

Body Mass Index

Richard2902 at en.wikipedia

Body Mass Index

Bill Branson, NIH

Body Mass Index

BruceBlaus

Woman on scale

TheVisualMD

4:22

Weight Loss | How To Calculate BMI | StreamingWell.com

streamingwell/YouTube

3:02

Why BMI Is BS

Seeker/YouTube

Body Mass Index (BMI)

TheVisualMD

1:05

BMI Calculator For Women And Men & What is BMI ?

KidandParent/YouTube

3:55

Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass, with Introduction on Body Mass Index, Animation.

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

7:21

Calculate your own body mass index | Miscellaneous | Heatlh & Medicine | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

12:16

The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 1): An Epidemic for Every Body

UCTVTips/YouTube

30:00

Our Supersized Kids

KSPS Public TV/YouTube

Four body types to show classes of body mass index

NIDDK Image Library

Breaking Down Under Pressure

TheVisualMD

Body mass index chart

InvictaHOG/Wikimedia

Underweight - Body image rating scale for men and women.

CDC / Ettarh R et al.

Overweight Man Holding Beer Bottle

TheVisualMD

Obese Woman, cross section

TheVisualMD

US Navy 110426-N-00332-114 Students measure the height and body weight of fourth and fifth grade students from Lindenwood Elementary School

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory C. Asato/Wikimedia

Body Mass Index in Children and Teens

Body Mass Index in Children and Teens

Also called: Pediatric BMI, Pediatric Quetelet Index, BMI Percentile, BMI-For-Age

Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat calculated from a person's height and weight. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. BMI-for-age is the measure that can be used continuously from age 2 to 20 years to screen for obesity, overweight, or underweight.

Body Mass Index in Children and Teens

Also called: Pediatric BMI, Pediatric Quetelet Index, BMI Percentile, BMI-For-Age

Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat calculated from a person's height and weight. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. BMI-for-age is the measure that can be used continuously from age 2 to 20 years to screen for obesity, overweight, or underweight.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
%
5
85
95
Your result is Healthy Weight.
A BMI-for-age between the 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile indicates that your child is at a healthy weight for the height.
Related conditions

After BMI is calculated for children and teens, it is expressed as a percentile obtained from either a graph or a percentile calculator linked below. These percentiles express a child’s BMI relative to US children who participated in national surveys from 1963-65 to 1988-94. Weight and height change during growth and development, as does their relation to body fatness. Consequently, a child’s BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same sex and age.

The BMI-for-age percentile growth charts are the most commonly used indicator to measure the size and growth patterns of children and teens in the United States. BMI-for-age weight status categories and the corresponding percentiles were based on expert committee recommendations and are shown in the following table.

BMI-for-age weight status categories and the corresponding percentiles
Weight Status Category	Percentile Range
Underweight	Less than the 5^th percentile
Healthy Weight	5^th percentile to less than the 85^th percentile
Overweight	85^th to less than the 95^th percentile
Obesity	Equal to or greater than the 95^th percentile

The following is an example of how sample BMI numbers would be interpreted for a 10-year-old boy.

The CDC BMI-for-age growth charts are available at: CDC Growth Charts: United States.

Obesity during childhood can harm the body in a variety of ways. Children who have obesity are more likely to have:
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
- Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea.
- Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.
- Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).
Childhood obesity is also related to:
- Psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
- Low self-esteem and lower self-reported quality of life.
- Social problems such as bullying and stigma.
1. [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]
2. Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences | Overweight & Obesity | CDC [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (14)

Overweight, Underweight, Just Right

One tool that may be used in evaluating body composition for children and teens (age 2-19) is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated differently for children and teens than for adults because, in children, the normal amount of body fat changes with age and also differs between girls and boys. (Adult BMI calculators don’t take into account age or sex.) There is no universal normal range as there is with BMI for adults. provides BMI and the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile on a BMI-for-age growth chart. It’s important to remember that BMI is not a diagnostic tool. It only indicates the possible presence of a weight problem. If your child’s BMI number is in the unhealthy range, he or she should be taken to a healthcare professional. Further assessments may then be done, such as plotting weight and height on a growth chart, measuring skinfold thickness with a caliper, evaluating physical activity and eating habits, and looking at family history.

Image by TheVisualMD

BMI-for-age – Boys Growth Chart

The BMI-for-age percentile growth charts are the most commonly used indicator to measure the size and growth patterns of children and teens in the United States.

Document by CDC

BMI-for-age – Girls Growth Chart

The BMI-for-age percentile growth charts are the most commonly used indicator to measure the size and growth patterns of children and teens in the United States.

Document by CDC

Our Supersized Kids

Video by KSPS Public TV/YouTube

Why BMI Is BS

Video by Seeker/YouTube

Overweight/Obese Adult, teenager and child with visible inner anatomy

Overweight/Obese Adult, teenager and child with visible inner anatomy

Image by TheVisualMD

Obesity Prevention Begins in Childhood

Obesity in children has risen dramatically worldwide. Worldwide, an estimated 1 in 10 children is overweight, a total of 155 million. Of those children, 30-45 million are obese. By 2010, nearly half of the children in North and South America and about 38% of the children in the European Union will be overweight. Photo of Child: Copyright 2007, Emer & Sam

Image by TheVisualMD

A Global Epidemic

Childhood obesity is an epidemic around the globe. In the US, an estimated 17% of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are obese. In the last three decades, the percentage of obese children doubled in children ages 2-5 and tripled in children and adolescents ages 6-19. Up to 80% of obese youth become obese adults, who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in North America. In the European Union, about 30% of all children are overweight, and over 5 million of them are obese. Some 300,000 children in the EU become obese each year. But obesity is no longer a problem that affects only children in the developed world. The easy availability of cheap, high-calorie, low-nutrition food, along with less-active lifestyles, have made childhood obesity a major health issue in countries all over the world, including China, Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, and many others. Globally, about 10% of all children ages 5-17 are overweight, and 2-3% in that age group are obese, according to the International Obesity Task Force. Obese kids are more likely to be depressed and have low self-esteem, sleep apnea, insulin resistance, and even type 2 diabetes. If your child has a weight problem, you have reason to be concerned. But there are many ways you can help. With your support, your child can get healthy—and stay healthy.

Image by TheVisualMD

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome?

Side view of an overweight (195 lbs) 16-year old boy's stomach.

Image by OctoMocto

Consequences of Childhood Obesity

Consequences of Childhood Obesity : Even though overweight kids tend to have denser bones, they have more bone fractures than nonoverweight children. This may be because being overweight interferes with balance and also because overweight children fall with greater force.

Image by TheVisualMD

Adding to the Burden

Even though overweight kids tend to have denser bones, they have more bone fractures than nonoverweight children. This may be because being overweight interferes with balance and also because overweight children fall with greater force.

Image by TheVisualMD

Obesity and Related Health Problems

Obesity and Related Health Problems : Overweight and obese children are more likely to have gastrointestinal (digestive) disorders, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gallstones.

Image by TheVisualMD

Fit Food

You want your child to be fit and healthy for a whole lifetime. That’s why it’s so important for you to start helping him or her to develop healthy eating habits now. Changing habits is easier when you’re young. What’s more, tackling overweight early on can prevent many or all of the devastating medical effects of obesity.

Image by TheVisualMD

Child nutrition

child nutrition - Picnic time

Image by dhanelle

Overweight, Underweight, Just Right

TheVisualMD

BMI-for-age – Boys Growth Chart

CDC

BMI-for-age – Girls Growth Chart

CDC

30:00

Our Supersized Kids

KSPS Public TV/YouTube

3:02

Why BMI Is BS

Seeker/YouTube

Overweight/Obese Adult, teenager and child with visible inner anatomy

TheVisualMD

Obesity Prevention Begins in Childhood

TheVisualMD

A Global Epidemic

TheVisualMD

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome?

OctoMocto

Consequences of Childhood Obesity

TheVisualMD

Adding to the Burden

TheVisualMD

Obesity and Related Health Problems

TheVisualMD

Fit Food

TheVisualMD

Child nutrition

dhanelle

Waist Circumference Test

Waist Circumference Test

Also called: Waist Size, Waist Circumference

Measuring waist circumference helps screen for possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Waist Circumference Test

Also called: Waist Size, Waist Circumference

Measuring waist circumference helps screen for possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
in
37
40
Your result is Healthy.
Your waist measurement is in the healthy range.
Related conditions
Another way to estimate your potential disease risk is to measure your waist circumference. Excessive abdominal fat may be serious because it places you at greater risk for developing obesity-related conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:
- A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches
- A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches
Waist circumference can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
To correctly measure waist circumference:
- Stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones
- Make sure tape is horizontal around the waist
- Keep the tape snug around the waist, but not compressing the skin
- Measure your waist just after you breathe out
1. Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]
2. Assessing Your Weight | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]
3. Healthy Weight | CDC [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]
4. Measuring your waist - Heart Matters | BHF [accessed on Feb 05, 2022]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (2)

Waist Circumference, Male

TheVisualMD

0:32

How do you measure your waist?

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Waist-To-Hip Ratio

Waist-To-Hip Ratio

Also called: WHR

Waist-to-hip ratio is a measurement that compares the size of your hips to the size of your waist. It is an important tool to help determine the overall health risk. People with more weight around their waist are at greater risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, than those with weight around their hips.

Waist-To-Hip Ratio

Also called: WHR

Waist-to-hip ratio is a measurement that compares the size of your hips to the size of your waist. It is an important tool to help determine the overall health risk. People with more weight around their waist are at greater risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, than those with weight around their hips.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
ratio
0.8
0.85
Your result is Optimal.
A value in this range has been shown to correlate strongly with general health and fertility. It also indicates a "pear-shaped" body type.
Related conditions
Limitations of the waist-to-hip ratio measurement:
- More prone to measurement error because it requires two measurements
- More difficult to measure the hip than the waist
- More complex to interpret, since increased waist-to-hip ratio can be caused by increased abdominal fat or by decreased lean muscle around the hips
- Turning the measurements into a ratio leads to a loss of information: two people with very different BMIs could have the same waist-to-hip ratio
- May be difficult to measure and less accurate in individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher
Strenghts of the waist-to-hip ratio measurement:
- Good correlation with body fat as measured by the most accurate methods
- Inexpensive
- Studies show waist-to-hip ratio predicts development of disease and death in adults
1. National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Am I at a Healthy Weight? [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]
2. TheVisualMD & Alexander Tsiaras. TheVisualMD Diet A Scientific Approach to Weight Loss & Vitality. [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]
3. Medical News Today. Why is the hip-waist ratio important? [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]
4. Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio Report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8-11 December 2008. [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]
5. Apples & pears : the body shape solution for weight loss and wellness / Marie Savard, with Carol Svec. [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]
6. Health Jade. Waist Hip Ratio. [accessed on Nov 20, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (13)

Waist-Hip Ratio

Image illustrating the measurement of the parameters of waist-hip ratio.

Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from original works by SuicideGirls and FatM1ke

Waist-Hip Ratio

Image illustrating the measurement of the parameters of waist-hip ratio.

Image by TheVisualMD

Obese Woman, cross section

Traditionally, obesity has been defined as a weight at least 20% above ideal weight. More recent guidelines call for classifying obesity by using the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. However, BMI may classify as obese some people who aren't overweight but who are heavily muscled or big-boned. It also doesn't take into account the person's age. Waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) may be a better indication of disease risk, because they indicate if you have a lot of dangerous visceral fat inside your abdomen. Some doctors feel it's possible to be classified as obese and still be physically fit.

Image by TheVisualMD

Taking Your Measure

Image by TheVisualMD

Taking Your Measure

Image by TheVisualMD

Coronal section of a lean body

A coronal section of a woman's lean body, with visible muscle tissue, visceral and subcutaneous fat, and some bones and organs. Image supports content showing the positive effects on health that result from good decision-making and habit-forming practices.

Image by TheVisualMD

This browser does not support the video element.

Dr. Mark Liponis on waist-to-hip ratios

Your WHR divides the circumference of your waist by that of your hips. It is a good indication of how much abdominal fat you have. Having a large belly is a sign that you have too much dangerous visceral fat inside your abdomen.

Video by TheVisualMD

How do you measure your waist?

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

What Body Shape You Are Says A Lot About Your Weight

Video by Tech Insider/YouTube

The ACAP Recap: Waist Circumference

Video by ACAP Health/YouTube

Tri HDL

Video by ACAP Health/YouTube

Understanding your weight

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

How to measure your waist

Video by Bupa Health UK/YouTube

Waist-Hip Ratio

Mikael Haggstrom, from original works by SuicideGirls and FatM1ke

Waist-Hip Ratio

TheVisualMD

Obese Woman, cross section

TheVisualMD

Taking Your Measure

TheVisualMD

Taking Your Measure

TheVisualMD

Coronal section of a lean body

TheVisualMD

1:03

Dr. Mark Liponis on waist-to-hip ratios

TheVisualMD

0:32

How do you measure your waist?

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

2:30

What Body Shape You Are Says A Lot About Your Weight

Tech Insider/YouTube

2:33

The ACAP Recap: Waist Circumference

ACAP Health/YouTube

2:17

Tri HDL

ACAP Health/YouTube

2:31

Understanding your weight

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

0:42

How to measure your waist

Bupa Health UK/YouTube

Cortisol Test

Cortisol Test

Also called: Cortisol Levels, Cortisol (Blood), Cortisol (Urine)

A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol in your blood, urine, or saliva. Cortisol is a hormone that helps your body respond to stress, regulate blood sugar, and fight infections. Maintaining an adequate balance of cortisol is essential for health.

Cortisol Test

Also called: Cortisol Levels, Cortisol (Blood), Cortisol (Urine)

A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol in your blood, urine, or saliva. Cortisol is a hormone that helps your body respond to stress, regulate blood sugar, and fight infections. Maintaining an adequate balance of cortisol is essential for health.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
μg/dL
5
25
Your result is Normal.
Normally, the body produces the right amount of cortisol to keep it healthy. Cortisol is a hormone that helps the body respond to stress, regulate blood sugar, and fight infections.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
μg/24 hr
10
55
Your result is Normal.
Normal values for cortisol in a urine test are 10 to 55 micrograms per day (24 hours).
Related conditions
A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol in your blood, urine, or saliva to see if your levels are normal. Cortisol is a hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body. It helps your body:
- Respond to stress (cortisol is sometimes called the "stress hormone")
- Reduce inflammation
- Regulate blood sugar and metabolism (how your body uses food for energy)
- Control blood pressure
Cortisol is made by your adrenal glands, two small glands that sit above the kidneys. A gland in your brain, called the pituitary gland, makes a hormone that tells your adrenal glands how much cortisol to make. If your cortisol levels are too high or too low, it may mean you have a disorder of your adrenal glands, a problem with your pituitary gland, or a tumor that makes cortisol.
High levels of cortisol may also happen if you take large doses of certain steroid medicines, such as prednisone, for a long time. And low levels may happen if you stop the medicine suddenly.
Without treatment, cortisol levels that are too high or too low can be very serious.
Other names: urinary cortisol, salivary cortisol, free cortisol, blood cortisol, plasma cortisol
A cortisol test is used to help diagnose medical conditions that cause too much or too little cortisol. These conditions include disorders that affect the adrenal glands:
- Cushing's syndrome is a disorder that happens when your body has too much cortisol over a long period of time.
- Addison disease is a condition in which your adrenal glands are damaged and can't make enough cortisol.
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which your adrenal glands don't make enough cortisol because your pituitary gland isn't working properly.
Cortisol testing is also used to monitor treatment for these conditions.
You may need a cortisol test if you have symptoms of a condition that affects cortisol levels.
- Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (too much cortisol) may include:
  Weight gain
  Thin arms and legs
  Round face
  Increased fat around the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades
  Easy bruising
  Wide purple streaks on the stomach, breasts, hips, and under the arms
  Muscle weakness
- Common symptoms of Addison disease and adrenal insufficiency (not enough cortisol) may include:
  Long-lasting fatigue
  Muscle weakness
  Loss of appetite
  Weight loss
  Abdominal (belly) pain
A cortisol test often uses a sample of blood drawn at a lab. But the test may also be done on urine or saliva collected at home. Normally, cortisol levels vary during the day, so your provider may order more than one type of test to get more information about your cortisol levels.
For a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Blood samples are usually taken twice during the day--once in the morning when cortisol levels are at their highest, and again around 4 p.m., when levels are much lower.
For a cortisol urine test, your provider may ask you to collect all your urine during a 24-hour period. This is called a "24-hour urine sample test." For this test, you'll be given a special container and instructions for how to collect and store your urine sample. Your provider will tell you what time to start. The test usually includes the following steps:
- To begin, urinate in the toilet as usual. Do not collect this urine. Write down the time you urinated.
- For the next 24 hours, collect all your urine in the container.
- Store the urine container in a refrigerator or in a cooler with ice during the collection period.
- 24 hours after starting the test, try to urinate if you can. This is the last urine collection for the test.
- Return the container with your urine to your provider's office or the laboratory as instructed.
In certain cases, a urine test for cortisol may be done on one sample of urine collected in the morning.
A cortisol saliva test is usually done at home with a kit to collect a saliva sample. Your provider will tell you what time to collect your sample. It's often done at night before you go to bed when cortisol levels are normally lower.
Most kits include a swab and a container to store it. Be careful to follow the instructions that come with your kit. They usually include these general steps:
- Do not eat, drink, brush, or floss your teeth for 30 minutes before the test.
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Open the tube that holds the swab and let the swab fall into your mouth without touching it with your hands.
- Roll the swab in your mouth or hold it under your tongue for about 2 minutes until it is soaked with saliva.
- Spit the swab back into the tube without touching it and close the tube.
- Label the tube with the time you collected the sample.
- Take your saliva sample to your doctor's office or the lab the next day as instructed.
A cortisol test alone can't diagnose the cause of abnormal cortisol levels. If your cortisol level isn't normal, you will usually have more tests to find out what is causing the problem.
High levels of cortisol may be a sign that you have Cushing's syndrome. It may be caused by:
- Taking high doses of certain steroid medicines for a long time to treat conditions, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
- Tumors in your pituitary gland or other parts of your body that make too much of the hormone that tells your adrenal glands to make cortisol
- Tumors in your adrenal glands that make extra cortisol
Low levels of cortisol may mean you have Addison disease or secondary adrenal insufficiency:
- Common causes of Addison's disease include damage to the adrenal glands from conditions, such as:
  Autoimmune diseases
  Certain infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS
- Common causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency include:
  Autoimmune diseases
  Problems with the pituitary gland
  Traumatic brain injury
The most common cause of low cortisol levels is suddenly stopping steroid medicines after using them for a long time.
If your cortisol results aren't normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Cortisol levels can be affected by:
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Exercise
- Serious illness
- Hot and cold temperatures
- Certain thyroid diseases
- Obesity
- Certain medicines, such as birth control pills
To learn what your test results mean, talk with your health care provider.
1. Cortisol Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
2. Cortisol (Urine) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
3. Cortisol in Blood Test | HealthLink BC [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]
4. Cortisol in Urine Test | HealthLink BC [accessed on Mar 08, 2024]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (10)

High Cortisol Levels, What Female Symptoms Indicate This?

Video by EmpowHER/YouTube

Endocrinology - Adrenal Gland Hormones

Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

Pharmacology - Glucocorticoids

Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

How High Cortisol Impacts Physiology (and fat loss)

Video by FatIsNotYourFault/YouTube

The Complexities of Cortisol

Video by University of California Television (UCTV)/YouTube

How stress affects your brain - Madhumita Murgia

Video by TED-Ed/YouTube

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) - an Osmosis preview

Video by Osmosis/YouTube

Human Physiology - Cortisol Feedback and Function

Video by Janux/YouTube

Cortisol

The hippocampus is rich in receptors for cortisol. So cortisol is very active in the hippocampus. But sustained high levels of cortisol cause damage to neurons. Cortisol disrupts cellular metabolism of hippocampal neurons and increases the vulnerability of neurons to a variety of insults.5,6 In addition, when cortisol is elevated chronically, there is a reduction in neurogenesis.7 In a nutshell, the damage from cortisol in the hippocampus has been suggested to be an example of sacrificing long-term function (i.e., memory function) for the sake of short-term survival.8

Image by TheVisualMD

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone critical to many biological functions, including glucose metabolism, blood pressure, immunity, and thyroid regulation. The steroid hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and its release controlled by ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which is produced by the pituitary. Excess cortisol in the system is marked by a group of signs and symptoms known collectively as Cushing syndrome. Cortisol deficiency may be caused by dysfunction of the pituitary, known as secondary adrenal insufficiency; or by dysfunction of the adrenal glands, known as primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease.

Image by TheVisualMD

0:56

High Cortisol Levels, What Female Symptoms Indicate This?

EmpowHER/YouTube

10:43

Endocrinology - Adrenal Gland Hormones

Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

9:10

Pharmacology - Glucocorticoids

Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

6:07

How High Cortisol Impacts Physiology (and fat loss)

FatIsNotYourFault/YouTube

2:41

The Complexities of Cortisol

University of California Television (UCTV)/YouTube

4:16

How stress affects your brain - Madhumita Murgia

TED-Ed/YouTube

0:52

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) - an Osmosis preview

Osmosis/YouTube

12:26

Human Physiology - Cortisol Feedback and Function

Janux/YouTube

Cortisol

TheVisualMD

Cortisol

TheVisualMD

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) Test

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) Test

Also called: TSH, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Thyrotropin

The test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in a sample of your blood. TSH is made in the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid hormone. If your TSH levels are too high or too low, it can indicate a thyroid disorder.

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) Test

Also called: TSH, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Thyrotropin

The test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in a sample of your blood. TSH is made in the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid hormone. If your TSH levels are too high or too low, it can indicate a thyroid disorder.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
(mi.U.)/mL
0.45
4.5
Your result is Normal.
The pituitary gland releases TSH into the blood to stimulate the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. The amount of TSH that the pituitary sends into the bloodstream depends on the amount of thyroid hormone in the body. In most healthy individuals, a normal TSH value means that the thyroid is functioning properly.
Related conditions
You may need a TSH test if you have symptoms of too much or too little thyroid hormone in your blood.
Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is also called overactive thyroid. Having more thyroid hormones than you need speeds up your body functions and causes symptoms that include:
- Weight loss, even though you may be eating more than usual
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling nervous or irritable
- Trouble sleeping, fatigue
- Shaky hands, muscle weakness
- Sweating or being very sensitive to heat
- Frequent bowel movements (pooping a lot)
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) is also called underactive thyroid. Not having enough thyroid hormone slows down your body functions and causes symptoms that include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Being very sensitive to cold
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry skin
- Dry, thinning hair
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Depression
- Constipation
You may also have a TSH test, along with other tests, to help diagnose unusual bumps or lumps on your thyroid that may be thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules (growths on your thyroid that aren't cancer).
Your TSH test results can tell you if your thyroid is making too much or too little thyroid. But the test can't explain why your TSH levels may be too high or too low.
If your test results aren't normal, your provider will probably order other thyroid blood tests to find out what's causing your thyroid problem. These blood tests may include:
- T4 thyroid hormone test
- T3 thyroid hormone test
- Thyroid antibodies test to help diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disorder, such as:
  Graves' disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism
  Hashimoto's disease, that the most common cause of hypothyroidism
In certain cases, an abnormal TSH result may be a sign of a pituitary gland problem, but this doesn't happen often.
1. 004259: Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) | LabCorp [accessed on Oct 04, 2018]
2. TSH test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Oct 04, 2018]
3. TSH [accessed on Oct 04, 2018]
4. 004593: Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) in Pregnancy | LabCorp [accessed on Oct 04, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (28)

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which play key roles in regulating many aspects of metabolism, the rate at which the cells use energy and carry out chemical processes. The thyroid and the hormones it produces are under the control of a hormone called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) produced by the pituitary gland.

Image by TheVisualMD

Importance of Thyroid Gland

The thyroid and the hormones it produces, for example, are under control of a hormone called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which is produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because it regulates the activities of other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland, however, takes its orders from the hypothalamus, which decides which particular hormones the pituitary should release and when.

Image by TheVisualMD

Thyroid Gland

Image by CFCF

Follicular Cell of Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The hormones help maintain body temperature, heart rate, moods, energy levels, bowel function and rates of fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The thyroid contains spherical follicles that absorb iodine ions from the blood for use in the production of T4 and T3. Iodine deficiency, rare in the U.S., affects two billion people worldwide and is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation.

Image by TheVisualMD

Woman with visible Brain revealing Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the skull, between the optic nerves. It is often referred to as the endocrine system's \"master gland\" because it regulates the activities of other glands. The pituitary, however, takes its orders from the hypothalamus, which decides which particular hormones the pituitary should release and when. The pituitary governs testosterone and estrogen production, as well as ovulation and breast milk production; it also helps regulate growth, blood pressure, maintain proper fluid balance, and other aspects of metabolism.

Image by TheVisualMD

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Image by MartaFF

Follicle-stimulating hormone

The time scale starts with the (LMP), given as day number. Day number 1 corresponds to 0 to 0.99 days from LMP, and Day number 2 corresponds to 1.00 to 1.99 days from LMP and so forth. The time scale ends at whatever is the actual next menstruation, which marks the beginning of the next cycle, which is equivalent to starting all over again from the beginning of the time scale.

Image by Mikael Haggstrom

hCG testing for pregnancy

Diagram of typical immunoassay home pregnancy test which detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). (A) A urine sample is applied to the stick. If pregnant, this should contain hCG. (B) As the sample is absorbed into the stick it goes through free dye-labeled antibodies that recognize and stick to hCG. (C) An anchored set of antibodies stick to and capture hCG molecules (and the attached dye-labeled antibodies), creating the first line. In the "not pregnant" sample no hCG is attached to the dye-labeled antibodies, so they wash past this point and no line appears. (D) A second anchored set of antibodies captures the dye-labeled antibodies, providing a positive control to indicate that the test is working properly.

Image by Madprime

The classic finding of exophthalmos and lid retraction in Graves' disease

Proptosis and Lid Retraction from Graves Disease : Photograph showing a classic finding of Graves' Disease, proptosis and lid retraction.

Image by Jonathan Trobe, M.D. - University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

What are the symptoms of Graves' disease?

Graves' disease symptoms

Image by Original uploader was Madhero88 at en.wikipedia

What is Graves' ophthalmopathy?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the orbits, showing congestion of the retro-orbital space and enlargement of the extraocular muscles (arrows), consistent with the diagnosis of Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

Image by Huy A Tran and Glenn EM Reeves

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam`s apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland have an enormous impact on many aspects of metabolism.

Image by TheVisualMD

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

A Classic Negative Feedback Loop

Image by OpenStax College

Woman's neck region with visible thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The hormones help maintain body temperature, heart rate, moods, energy levels, bowel function and rates of fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The thyroid is under the control of a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland; the pituitary gland, in turn, takes its orders from the hypothalamus. Thyroid problems usually fall into one of two categories: hypothroidism, when the gland produces too little hormone; or hyperthroidism, when the gland produces too much.

Image by TheVisualMD

Woman with Visible Thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The hormones help maintain body temperature, heart rate, moods, energy levels, bowel function and rates of fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The thyroid and the hormones it produces are under the control of a hormone called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) produced by the pituitary gland, which is often referred to as the \"master gland\" because it regulates the activities of other endocrine glands.

Image by TheVisualMD

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that produces hormones that help maintain body temperature, heart rate, moods, and metabolism. Hyperthyroidism (when too much hormone is produced) is often caused by an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease, in which antibodies produced by the immune system over-stimulate the thyroid. The production of thyroid hormones is under the control of a hormone called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) produced by the pituitary gland.

Image by TheVisualMD

Woman With Goiter Due to Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), that help maintain body temperature, heart rate, moods, and metabolism. A goiter is any visible enlargement of the thyroid gland. In the past, goiters were often due to a lack of iodine in the diet (iodized salt has greatly reduced such goiters). Goiters can be present in cases of either hormone overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism).

Image by TheVisualMD

Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle, Animation.

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

What Is High FSH?

Video by fertilityauthority/YouTube

What is FSH?

Video by fertilityauthority/YouTube

Human Physiology - Hormonal Regulation of Male Reproduction

Video by Janux/YouTube

What is Graves Disease?

Video by TriHealth Cincinnati/YouTube

Graves' Disease Education

Video by Jennifer Riccobono/YouTube

Reproductive System, Part 1 - Female Reproductive System: Crash Course A&P #40

Video by CrashCourse/YouTube

Male Sex Hormones

Video by Academic Algonquin/YouTube

Thyroid gland - What's the function of the thyroid?

Video by Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

Normal Thyroid cell

A normal thyroid cell (Nthy.ori 3-1) adhered to gold surface. Picture taken by a Scanning electron microscope (SEM), University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.

Image by ChronakiDimitra

Thyroid scintigraphy

5 different scintigramms taken from thyroids with different syndroms: A) normal thyroid, B) Graves disease, diffuse increased uptake in both thyroid lobes, C) Plummers disease (TMNG, toxic multinodular goitre), D) Toxic adenoma, E) Thyroiditis. Marker 99Tc

Image by Petros Perros

Thyroid Gland

TheVisualMD

Importance of Thyroid Gland

TheVisualMD

Thyroid Gland

CFCF

Follicular Cell of Thyroid Gland

TheVisualMD

Woman with visible Brain revealing Pituitary Gland

TheVisualMD

Follicle-stimulating hormone

MartaFF

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Mikael Haggstrom

hCG testing for pregnancy

Madprime

The classic finding of exophthalmos and lid retraction in Graves' disease

Jonathan Trobe, M.D. - University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

What are the symptoms of Graves' disease?

Original uploader was Madhero88 at en.wikipedia

What is Graves' ophthalmopathy?

Huy A Tran and Glenn EM Reeves

Thyroid Gland

TheVisualMD

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

OpenStax College

Woman's neck region with visible thyroid

TheVisualMD

Woman with Visible Thyroid

TheVisualMD

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

TheVisualMD

Woman With Goiter Due to Hypothyroidism

TheVisualMD

3:15

Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle, Animation.

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

1:16

What Is High FSH?

fertilityauthority/YouTube

2:46

What is FSH?

fertilityauthority/YouTube

3:38

Human Physiology - Hormonal Regulation of Male Reproduction

Janux/YouTube

2:25

What is Graves Disease?

TriHealth Cincinnati/YouTube

9:07

Graves' Disease Education

Jennifer Riccobono/YouTube

10:15

Reproductive System, Part 1 - Female Reproductive System: Crash Course A&P #40

CrashCourse/YouTube

2:30

Male Sex Hormones

Academic Algonquin/YouTube

1:55

Thyroid gland - What's the function of the thyroid?

Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

Normal Thyroid cell

ChronakiDimitra

Thyroid scintigraphy

Petros Perros

Leptin Test

Leptin Test

Also called: LEP

The leptin test measures the levels of leptin in blood. Leptin is a hormone that regulates body weight. It is primarily secreted by fat tissue cells and controls appetite and energy level by signaling the hypothalamus in the brain. This test is used to evaluate body fat metabolism.

Leptin Test

Also called: LEP

The leptin test measures the levels of leptin in blood. Leptin is a hormone that regulates body weight. It is primarily secreted by fat tissue cells and controls appetite and energy level by signaling the hypothalamus in the brain. This test is used to evaluate body fat metabolism.

{"label":"Leptin Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"units":[{"printSymbol":"ng\/mL","code":"ng\/mL","name":"nanogram per millliiter"}],"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":4.7},"text":"Your leptin levels are low. Talk to your doctor to know what this result means in your case. Further testing may be necessary. ","conditions":["Obesity","Metabolic syndrome","Hypothalamic amenorrhea"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":4.7,"max":23.7},"text":"Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":23.7,"max":30},"text":"Your leptin levels are high. Talk to your doctor to know what this result means in your case. Further testing may be necessary. ","conditions":["Pregnancy","Anorexia nervosa",""]}],"value":14.2}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
ng/mL
4.7
23.7
Your result is Normal.
Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.
Related conditions
Your doctor may recommend this test if you experience any of the following:
- Obesity
- A sudden change in weight
- Infertility problems
- Delayed puberty
1. Leptin Blood Test [accessed on Sep 28, 2018]
2. 146712: Leptin, Serum or Plasma | LabCorp [accessed on Sep 28, 2018]
3. Leptin (Blood) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Nov 14, 2018]
4. Leptin (90367) [accessed on Nov 14, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (24)

Are Your Hormones Influencing Your Weight? | Earth Lab

Video by BBC Earth Lab/YouTube

thin-outside-fat-inside

Fat-Fat "Fat on the Outside Thin on the Inside" (FOTI) image. shows 2 subjects the first fat fit with reduced amount of internal fat compared with an obese control.

Image by ImagingFat

Visceral Fat _ What Causes a Beer Belly Medical Course (VIDEO)

Fatty tissue in the region of the ABDOMEN. It includes the ABDOMINAL SUBCUTANEOUS FAT and the INTRA-ABDOMINAL FAT.

Image by TheVisualMD

Sensitive content

This media may include sensitive content

Overweight man standing

In times of starvation or during a weight-loss regimen, body protein is used to provide energy. Because our bodies do not store protein, functional body proteins such as enzymes and muscle proteins must be broken down to yield amino acids, which can then be used as fuel or to make glucose. Once protein are broken down into amino acids, they can be used as fuel, to make glucose, or to make fatty acids. Excess fatty acids can be stored as triglycerides in the body, thus contributing to weight gain. In a manner of speaking, the body does not want to convert protein to fat. The nutrient is far better suited to the construction and repair of tissues. But when your diet delivers more amino acids than your body needs - a common case among Americans - the excess is stored as glycogen or triglyceride fat. Fat is stored for the purpose of stockpiling energy but, in a sedentary lifestyle, we gain weight because those stockpiles are never called upon. When an oversized hunk of protein (say, 12oz steak instead of a proper 3oz portion) is consumed, insulin arrives in the blood to clear all the excess amino acid. In the presence of insulin, anything you eat is more likely to be converted to body fat.

Image by TheVisualMD

Dietary fat

Facing the Fats : It`s hard to imagine a time when fats were not controversial and did not strike fear in the hearts of dieters. Just the mention of fat-loaded words like butter and bacon can trigger powerful reactions! And yet it has only been in the past 50 years or so that our relationship with fats has become such a problem. Of the three primary macronutrients, fat provides the most energy (measured in calories) by weight. Fats have many other important jobs. Fats are a crucial source of raw materials. Dietary fat is a fundamental building block and our bodies use it in a variety of ways. We use fats to build hormones and neurotransmitters. Fats also aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and play key roles in regulating inflammation, chemical signaling and the metabolism of other nutrients.

Image by TheVisualMD

How Much Fat? Low Fat, Light & Fat Free

Image by TheVisualMD

Obese Figure with Organs and Visceral Fat, cross section

Visceral fat is found deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your vital organs. It's different from subcutaneous fat, the kind that's just under your skin. Too much visceral fat physically crowds your organs and your diaphragm. This can restrict your organs' blood supply and make it difficult for you to breathe deeply. Visceral fat secretes dangerous hormones and inflammatory chemicals. The blood that circulates through visceral fat goes directly into your liver through the portal vein. That means the substances your visceral fat produces all pour directly into your liver and into your bloodstream. Scientists think this may have important, and damaging, consequences, such as creating systemic inflammation. For many years, adipose (fat) tissue was thought to be a mostly dormant substance with a mainly passive function: storage. But now researchers have found that adipose tissue is, in fact, highly active. Adipose tissue has a metabolic function and acts as an endocrine organ-that is, it produces hormones and secretes them into your bloodstream, through which they travel to affect the function of organs all over your body. In fact, fat tissue produces literally dozens of hormones, including leptin, which controls appetite, and adiponectin, which affects insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Because adipose tissue is now known to be so biologically active, researchers think that it could well play an important role in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.

Image by TheVisualMD

thin-outside-fat-inside

Coronal Image of a TOFI (thin-outside-fat-inside) and a Normal Control _ MRI Images showing different content of internal fat in two men of a similar size. Coronal Image of a TOFI and a Normal Control _ MRI Images showing different content of internal fat in two men of a similar size.

Image by ImagingFat

The Science of Appetite; Beating Overeating

Want to lose weight but can't stop eating? There's a reason for that. Find out how you can beat the desire to overeat and bring yourself one step closer to being your healthy self!

Image by TheVisualMD

Atherosclerosis Progression in Artery 2 of 4

Atherosclerosis begins when cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, and other molecules in the blood stick to the inner lining of the arteries. High blood cholesterol levels, together with the presence of inflammatory cells, can cause this buildup to continue over a period of years and develop into hard deposits known as plaque.

Image by TheVisualMD

Visceral Fat, Female

Visceral fat lies deep within the abdomen, surrounding the abdominal organs. It is illustrated well in this female abdomenal cross section as the comparison of fat (highlighted in green) to organs can be seen to be fairly dramatic. Excessive visceral fat appears when an individual consumes more fat than the body can metabolize, forcing it to store the fat around body organs. Visceral fat can easily accumulate around the heart, rendering it less efficient, leading to a multitiude of cardiovascular issues. Having too much of this type of fat has also been linked to diabetes and other health problems. Having more visceral fat than necessary can also add weight to the skeleton, leading to bone and joint problems.

Image by TheVisualMD

Visceral Fat, Male

Visceral fat lies deep within the abdomen, surrounding the abdominal organs. It is illustrated well in male abdomenal cross section as the comparison of fat (highlighted in green) to organs can be seen to be fairly dramatic. Excessive visceral fat appears when an individual consumes more fat than the body can metabolize, forcing it to store the fat around body organs. Visceral fat can easily accumulate around the heart, rendering it less efficient, leading to a multitiude of cardiovascular issues. Having too much of this type of fat has also been linked to diabetes and other health problems. Having more visceral fat than necessary can also add weight to the skeleton, leading to bone and joint problems.

Image by TheVisualMD

Healthy Capillary in Fat Tissue

This image shows capillaries in fat tissue with a cross section showing red blood cells, pink particles representing blood glucose and purple particles representing insulin. Normally, fat and muscle cells utilize glucose (pink) avoiding glucose build-up in the bloodstream.

Image by TheVisualMD

Body Fat Distribution in Male

Male figure revealing common fat distribution sites.. Men store more fat chiefly in the abdomen, which becomes especially apparent with age.

Image by TheVisualMD

Excess fat cells growing on top of the muscle tissue

Triglycerides are a large and varied category of fats found in both plants and animals. Because fats and blood, like oil and water, do not mix, triglycerides (as well as cholesterol) circulate through the body in special parcels called lipoproteins, which are fat-and-protein packages that enable fats to move freely within the bloodstream. Proteins and other components make up the outer shell; fats, in the form of triglycerides and cholesterol, are packed together inside.

Image by TheVisualMD

C-reactive Protein, Fat cells

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response. Researchers have found, however, that fat cells also seem to trigger the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is why individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have chronically higher levels of CRP.

Image by TheVisualMD

A Downward Spiral

Poor sleep and sleep deprivation can increase your appetite. Sleep apnea causes imbalances in the levels of two hormones that are associated with feelings of hunger and satiety: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin, which is produced by fat cells, is an appetite suppressant. When leptin is present at high levels, it normally produces a feeling of satiety—the feeling that you are full and have eaten enough. Ghrelin, which is produced by your stomach and pancreas, is leptin’s counterpart and has the reverse function: it’s an appetite stimulant. Levels of ghrelin increase before a meal and decrease afterwards.

Image by TheVisualMD

Sleep Deprivation - How Much Sleep Do We Need?

A Downward Spiral : Poor sleep and sleep deprivation can increase your appetite. Sleep apnea causes imbalances in the levels of two hormones that are associated with feelings of hunger and satiety: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is an appetite suppressant. Ghrelin is an appetite stimulant. Disrupted sleep causes your levels of ghrelin to rise, stimulating your appetite. It also causes levels of leptin, the appetite suppressant, to decrease. OSA can raise your insulin and glucose (blood sugar) levels and damage your ability to process glucose-in some cases to the level of diabetics. Sleep apnea appears to be a risk factor for insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes, and people with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea may have twice the risk of developing insulin resistance.

Image by TheVisualMD

Leptin

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone, meaning it comes from cells specialized for the storage of fat. The more body fat a person has, the more leptin in the bloodstream. The hormone is essential for regulating body weight and is understood to play a role in appetite, energy production, and metabolism. Since its discovery in 1994, academic and clinical interest in leptin has accelerated with the prevalence of obesity.

Image by TheVisualMD

Adipose tissue

Our Fat Helps Keep us Fat : Body fat is not dead weight. Adipose tissue secretes hormones, including leptin, an appetite-control hormone, and adiponectin, which has an anti-inflammatory effect on blood vessels. When we are overweight, our fat tissue lowers blood levels of adiponectin, which increases the risk of heart disease and decreases glucose sensitivity.

Image by TheVisualMD

The Power of Cravings

Your senses conspire to make you desire things you know will do you harm. Why?

Image by TheVisualMD

Sleep Fights Weight Gain

Your appetite control hormones and metabolism are thrown off balance when you don't get enough sleep.

Image by TheVisualMD

Obese Figure with Organs and Visceral Fat, cross section

Obese Figure with Organs and Visceral Fat, cross section : Visceral fat is found deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your vital organs. It's different from subcutaneous fat, the kind that's just under your skin. Too much visceral fat physically crowds your organs and your diaphragm. This can restrict your organs' blood supply and make it difficult for you to breathe deeply. Visceral fat secretes dangerous hormones and inflammatory chemicals. The blood that circulates through visceral fat goes directly into your liver through the portal vein. That means the substances your visceral fat produces all pour directly into your liver and into your bloodstream. Scientists think this may have important, and damaging, consequences, such as creating systemic inflammation. For many years, adipose (fat) tissue was thought to be a mostly dormant substance with a mainly passive function: storage. But now researchers have found that adipose tissue is, in fact, highly active. Adipose tissue has a metabolic function and acts as an endocrine organ-that is, it produces hormones and secretes them into your bloodstream, through which they travel to affect the function of organs all over your body. In fact, fat tissue produces literally dozens of hormones, including leptin, which controls appetite, and adiponectin, which affects insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Because adipose tissue is now known to be so biologically active, researchers think that it could well play an important role in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.

Image by TheVisualMD

Leptin and ghrelin

Leptin and ghrelin are known as the "hunger hormones". Leptin is a hormone, made by fat cells, that decreases your appetite. Ghrelin is a hormone that increases appetite, and also plays a role in body weight.

Image by Injurymap.com

3:56

Are Your Hormones Influencing Your Weight? | Earth Lab

BBC Earth Lab/YouTube

thin-outside-fat-inside

ImagingFat

Visceral Fat _ What Causes a Beer Belly Medical Course (VIDEO)

TheVisualMD

Sensitive content

This media may include sensitive content

Overweight man standing

TheVisualMD

Dietary fat

TheVisualMD

How Much Fat? Low Fat, Light & Fat Free

TheVisualMD

Obese Figure with Organs and Visceral Fat, cross section

TheVisualMD

thin-outside-fat-inside

ImagingFat

The Science of Appetite; Beating Overeating

TheVisualMD

Atherosclerosis Progression in Artery 2 of 4

TheVisualMD

Visceral Fat, Female

TheVisualMD

Visceral Fat, Male

TheVisualMD

Healthy Capillary in Fat Tissue

TheVisualMD

Body Fat Distribution in Male

TheVisualMD

Excess fat cells growing on top of the muscle tissue

TheVisualMD

C-reactive Protein, Fat cells

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A Downward Spiral

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Sleep Deprivation - How Much Sleep Do We Need?

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Leptin

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Adipose tissue

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The Power of Cravings

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Sleep Fights Weight Gain

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Obese Figure with Organs and Visceral Fat, cross section

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Leptin and ghrelin

Injurymap.com

FTO Genetic Test

FTO Genetic Test

Also called: Fat mass and obesity-associated gene, FTO gene mutations

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is called the “fat gene” because it has been significantly associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese. This gene causes people to eat more and feel less satisfied than an average person. This test evaluates a sample of the person's blood or saliva to look for mutations (changes) in the FTO gene.

FTO Genetic Test

Also called: Fat mass and obesity-associated gene, FTO gene mutations

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is called the “fat gene” because it has been significantly associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese. This gene causes people to eat more and feel less satisfied than an average person. This test evaluates a sample of the person's blood or saliva to look for mutations (changes) in the FTO gene.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
Your result is Negative.
A negative result means no FTO gene mutations were found. You have the same obesity risk as everyone else.
Related conditions
1. Genetics Home Reference. FTO gene. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
2. Fawcett KA, Barroso I. The genetics of obesity: FTO leads the way. Trends in Genetics. 2010;26(6):266-274. doi:10.1016/j.tig.2010.02.006. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
3. Frayling TM, Timpson NJ, Weedon MN, et al. A Common Variant in the FTO Gene Is Associated with Body Mass Index and Predisposes to Childhood and Adult Obesity. Science (New York, NY). 2007;316(5826):889-894. doi:10.1126/science.1141634. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
4. Medscape. Obesity, FTO, and Type 2 Diabetes: Overview, Function of FTO, Clinical Implications and Genetic Testing. Author: Ali Torkamani, PhD; Chief Editor: Keith K Vaux, MD. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
5. https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=FTO [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
6. Peng S, Zhu Y, Xu F, Ren X, Li X, Lai M. FTO gene polymorphisms and obesity risk: a meta-analysis. BMC Medicine. 2011;9:71. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-71. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
7. Yi-Cheng Chang, Pi-Hua Liu, Wei-Jei Lee, Tien-Jyun Chang, Yi-Der Jiang, Hung-YuanLi, Shan-Shan Kuo, Kuang-Chin Lee, Lee-Ming Chuang. Common Variation in the Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Gene Confers Risk of Obesity and Modulates BMI in the Chinese Population. Diabetes Aug 2008, 57 (8) 2245-2252; DOI: 10.2337/db08-0377. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
8. Lima RPA, Hayashi DN, Lima KQDF, Gomes NIG, Ribeiro MR, et al. (2017) The Role of Epigenetics in the Etiology of Obesity: A Review. J Clin Epigenet. 3:41 doi: 10.21767/2472-1158.100075 [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
9. Loos RJF, Yeo GSH. The bigger picture of FTO – the first GWAS-identified obesity gene. Nature reviews Endocrinology. 2014;10(1):51-61. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2013.227. [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
10. Weight Loss Genetics – FTO variants – Genetic Lifehacks [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
11. FTO - SNPedia [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

What Causes Obesity?

Hand-grenade of Refined grains-Too many carbohydrates in the diet, especially carbs with little nutritional value, can lead to significant weight gain over time.

Image by TheVisualMD

What Causes Obesity?

People develop obesity when their body stores more calories than it uses over time. Your body needs calories (and essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients) to work properly and to be active. But if your body stores more calories than it uses, you will gain weight.

Researchers know that a person's environment over a lifetime can influence whether obesity happens. While it's true that the food you eat is an important part of weight gain or loss, other parts of your life that you do not control can make obesity more likely. Learn more about how where you live affects weight.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (7)

What Causes Obesity?

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Risk Factors for coronary heart disease

Risk Factors for coronary heart disease

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Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke

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How Arteries Age

Over the years, if we don't take care of our bodies, our blood vessels can start to lose their resiliency and plaque can start to build up in our arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, inflammatory (immune) cells, calcium, and other substances that flow through our bloodstreams. Plaque buildup occurs if we eat high-fat diets, don't get enough exercise, are overweight or diets too high in refined carbohydrates, smoke, or have other unhealthy habits.

Image by TheVisualMD

Endangering Your Child's Health

Childhood obesity is a complex problem that involves diet, individual behavior, family behavior, heredity, cultural patterns, environmental conditions, and many other factors. For this reason there are a multitude of risk factors for child obesity, many of them interrelated. One very important risk factor is the weight of the parents:Obesity in mother or both parents Poor dietary habits are major risk factors:Overconsumption of high-calorie fast food Overconsumption of high-sugar foods and sweetened drinks (like sodas) Missing breakfast

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Fit Food

You want your child to be fit and healthy for a whole lifetime. That’s why it’s so important for you to start helping him or her to develop healthy eating habits now. Changing habits is easier when you’re young. What’s more, tackling overweight early on can prevent many or all of the devastating medical effects of obesity.

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Hamburger Comparisons

In the last three decades, obesity has doubled in children aged 2-5 and 12-19 and tripled in children aged 6-11. The balance between calories consumed and calories burned off has been upset. This is why so many of our children are overweight or obese. A number of factors contribute to the problem. Consumption of fiber-rich food, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, has decreased. Portion sizes have increased greatly in the last 20 years. 20 years ago a typical fast food hamburger contianed 333 calories, today that number is almost 600 calories.

Image by TheVisualMD

What Causes Obesity?

TheVisualMD

Risk Factors for coronary heart disease

TheVisualMD

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke

TheVisualMD

How Arteries Age

TheVisualMD

Endangering Your Child's Health

TheVisualMD

Fit Food

TheVisualMD

Hamburger Comparisons

TheVisualMD

Is It Common?

Overweight / Normal Weight

Weight Loss (Men vs Women)

Interactive by TheVisualMD

How Common Are Overweight and Obesity?

Overweight and obesity are very common in the United States. More than 2 in 3 women in the United States older than 20 have overweight or obesity.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (2)

An estimated 64 percent of all American adults are overweight or obese, and almost 9 million American children aged 6 years and older are obese.

USDA Agricultural Research Service/Photo by Peggy Greb.

Loose weight, exercise, prevent chronic diseases and get your Vitality back

TheVisualMD

Who Is At Risk?

Stressed woman with visible anatomy highlighting adipose tissue

Image by TheVisualMD

What Individual Factors Unique to Me Can Make It More Likely That I'll Gain Weight?

Obesity is a complex disease that is the result of many different parts of a person's life that happen over a long period of time. Things that can affect your weight include:

Genes and family background. Obesity tends to run in families. But there is not one “fat” gene. There are many genes that may work together to make you more likely to gain weight. The situation you live in also affects your genes. When you are a baby or young child, your parents or caregivers control your eating and physical activity. This family background can influence your weight as an adult.
Metabolism. People's metabolism rates (how fast your body “burns” calories) may vary for many reasons, and this can affect weight gain and loss. For instance, men usually have more muscle and less fat than women do, so men's bodies might burn more calories more quickly. A woman's metabolism may change throughout her life, such as with the hormonal changes that happen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Age. Your metabolism may slow down as you get older. Also, as we age, we lose muscle. With less muscle to burn calories, we need fewer calories.
Trauma. Many events in the past that you didn't have control over and are not your fault can affect when and how quickly you gain weight. Women who experience serious, negative events during childhood, such as abuse or a parent with a problem with alcohol or drugs, are more likely to have obesity as adults. Researchers have found that girls who are sexually abused may be more likely to gain weight faster as young adults and develop obesity at a younger age. Also, women who experience a traumatic event at any time and develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to gain weight quickly after the traumatic event and develop obesity.
Medicines. Many of the medicines that women take every day, including medicines for mental health conditions, sleep, and high blood pressure, can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you take any prescription medicine and have extra weight, talk to the doctor or nurse who prescribed the medicine about the best ways to safely lose weight and possible alternatives to that prescription medicine.
Sleep. Not getting enough high-quality sleep can lead to weight gain. Researchers think this may be because low-quality sleep can affect your hormone levels, which can affect your appetite and food choices. Not getting enough sleep to feel rested may also affect how much physical activity or exercise you get throughout the day.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (1)

Women's Aging Arteries

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Who Is At Higher Risk?

Obesity

Image by taniadimas/Pixabay

Does Overweight and Obesity Affect Some Women More Than Others?

Women of all ages, races, and ethnicities have overweight and obesity. But overweight and obesity are more common among some groups:

About 4 in 5 black orAfrican-American women have overweight or obesity.
More than 3 in 4 Hispanic or Latina women have overweight or obesity.
Lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to have overweight or obesity than heterosexual women.

Many factors play a role in overweight and obesity, including your family background and events in the past and the place where you live.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are worried about your weight. There are some risk factors for overweight and obesity that you can't control. But your doctor or nurse may recommend eating habits and physical activity to help you reach a healthier weight. Also, some medicines can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you think your medicine is affecting your weight, talk to your doctor or nurse. You may be able to try a different medicine.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (4)

Lake Constance

photosforyou/Pixabay

Measuring Tape

Bru-nO/Pixabay

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Overweight Woman with Visible Internal Organ

TheVisualMD

Lake Constance

photosforyou/Pixabay

Is It Environmental?

Obese Woman with visible Adipose Tissue Eating Chips

Image by TheVisualMD

How Can the Place Where I Live Make It More Likely That I'll Gain Weight?

Many parts of our everyday lives may make weight gain very common. These include:

Neighborhoods. How easy or safe is it to walk and be physically active? Some neighborhoods don't have sidewalks or parks. It may not be safe to walk around outside in other neighborhoods. Some places where people live have so much traffic that it may be difficult for people with disabilities to get around outside.
Healthy food availability. Are healthy food options close to where you live, work, or go to school? Many people do not have low-cost, healthy food options where they live. Some people live near many fast-food restaurants but no grocery stores.
Pollution. Is there air pollution or other pollution where you live? Some researchers found that air pollution, including secondhand smoke, is linked to obesity. Some researchers think that chemicals from pollution in the food we eat can lead to obesity in the United States. Sometimes living close to highways or other busy roads may increase your chances of obesity.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (4)

Glycemic Index

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Burn It or Save It? What Happens to Energy from Food

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Keep It Moving

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Uric Acid: Obesity and Gout

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What Are the Health Effects?

Obesity-associated morbidity

Image by TheVisualMD

What Are the Health Effects for Women Who Are at an Unhealthy Weight?

Overweight and obesity indirectly cause millions of deaths each year. Having overweight or obesity raises your risk for many serious health problems:

Breathing problems. Women who have overweight or obesity may develop sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing briefly or to take shallow breaths while you sleep. It may be caused by fat in the neck that narrows the airways. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen to their brain or body during sleep. This can cause many health problems, including heart disease.
Many types of cancer. Women who have overweight or obesity are more at risk for 13 different kinds of cancer: breast, colon and rectal, endometrial, gallbladder, stomach, esophagus (throat), liver, kidney, meningioma (cancer of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord), multiple myeloma (cancer of blood plasma cells), pancreatic, ovarian, and thyroid cancers.
Diabetes. Extra weight makes you twice as likely to get diabetes. Weight loss can prevent diabetes. It can also help control blood glucose if you already have diabetes and make you less likely to need medicine to control diabetes.
Heart disease. The more excess weight you have, the higher your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. This is true even if you have no other health conditions that raise your risk of heart disease. Learn more about how overweight and obesity affect your risk for heart disease.
High blood pressure. Compared with women who do not have overweight or obesity, women with overweight are twice as likely to have high blood pressure. Women with obesity are three times as likely to have it. Losing weight helps reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure damages your arteries and can lead to many other serious health problems such as stroke and heart disease.
High cholesterol. Excess fat sends chemical signals that change how your body processes food. It raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. This speeds the buildup of fatty plaque in our arteries. Losing weight can help get cholesterol to healthy levels. High LDL cholesterol can cause heart disease and other serious health problems.
Pregnancy problems. If you have overweight or obesity, it may be more difficult to get pregnant. Overweight and obesity can also cause complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or dangerously high blood pressure. Obesity can also cause a more serious condition called preeclampsia. Getting early and regular prenatal care can help you and your doctor be aware of any problems and help prevent them.
Stroke. Having overweight or obesity increases your risk of stroke, especially when you carry extra body fat around your waist (apple-shaped body) rather than around your hips and thighs (pear-shaped body). Learn more about how excess weight can raise your risk for stroke.

Even a small amount of weight loss (3% to 5% of your body weight or less) can help lower your risk for these health problems. If you are a 160-pound woman, losing just 5 to 8 pounds, or 3% to 5% of your body weight, can make you healthier. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your risk and how much weight you may need to lose.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (10)

9 Years - Aging Vessel

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Women's Aging Arteries

Top half of artery reflect aging well / Bottom half reflects poor life-style and accelerated plaque build-up leading to chronic diseases and early death - Image 1) 9 Years, Image 2) 25 Years, Image 3) 50 Years, Image 4) 75 Years Over the years, if we don't take care of our bodies, our blood vessels can start to lose their resiliency and plaque can start to build up in our arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, inflammatory (immune) cells, calcium, and other substances that flow through our bloodstreams. Plaque buildup occurs if we eat high-fat diets, don't get enough exercise, are overweight, smoke, or have other unhealthy habits.

Interactive by TheVisualMD

Joint & Pain Consequences of Obesity

Joint & Pain Consequences of Obesity

Image by TheVisualMD

Obesity and Uterine Fibroids

Obesity and Uterine Fibroids

Image by TheVisualMD

Childhood Obesity

These children, playing in a public space, vary in their proportion of body fat.

Image by Walter Siegmund

Obesity Prevention Starts Early

Obesity Prevention Starts Early - Controlling the trajectory of your wellbeing

Image by TheVisualMD

Obesity-associated morbidity

Medical complications of obesity: Obesity has a number of medical complications which negatively impact peoples' quality of life and are costly to treat.

Image by CDC

How Obesity Could Lead To Cancer

How could obesity lead to cancer? Research has identified three main ways: oestrogen, insulin and growth factors, and inflammation.

Image by Cancer Research UK uploader/Wikimedia

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Image by TheVisualMD

Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity

People who are obese may have an increased risk of several types of cancer, including cancers of the breast (in women who have been through menopause), colon, rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Obesity, Women, and Colorectal Cancer

Video by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/YouTube

Women's Aging Arteries

TheVisualMD

Joint & Pain Consequences of Obesity

TheVisualMD

Obesity and Uterine Fibroids

TheVisualMD

Childhood Obesity

Walter Siegmund

Obesity Prevention Starts Early

TheVisualMD

Obesity-associated morbidity

CDC

How Obesity Could Lead To Cancer

Cancer Research UK uploader/Wikimedia

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

TheVisualMD

Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

2:10

Obesity, Women, and Colorectal Cancer

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/YouTube

Can It Affect Fertility?

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Image by TheVisualMD

Can Obesity and Overweight Affect Fertility?

Many studies have highlighted the link between obesity and infertility in women. For example, having obesity can contribute to problems with ovulation and irregular menstrual periods. It also contributes to some miscarriages and to a lowered response to fertility treatments. Research indicates that reducing obesity improves women's reproductive health.

Women with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for obesity and infertility. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, can trigger body changes that facilitate conception in women with PCOS.

Obesity in men also is associated with a higher risk of infertility. Excess weight may affect a man's fertility in different ways, such as through changes in his hormone and semen production.

Source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Additional Materials (5)

1:24

Obesity & Fertility | Obesity

Howcast/YouTube

8:54

Obesity and IVF: How Weight Affects Women's Fertility

Center for Human Reproduction/YouTube

2:43

Female Infertility Causes

MonkeySee/YouTube

7:41

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Center for Human Reproduction/YouTube

2:05

Causes of Female Infertility: PCOS & Insulin Resistance

douglasplano/YouTube

Apple-Shaped vs Pear-Shaped

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Distribution of Fat in Man and Woman

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Does It Matter Where on My Body I Carry the Weight?

Yes. Where you carry your weight makes a difference in your health. Belly fat is more dangerous for your health than fat carried elsewhere.

Apple-shaped and pear-shaped body types

Some women tend to carry fat in the belly area (apple-shaped). Other women tend to carry fat in their hips and thighs (pear-shaped). Extra weight is never healthy, but being apple-shaped increases your risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer, more than being pear-shaped does. That is because the type of fat your body stores in your abdomen, near your stomach, is different from the type of fat stored in your thighs and hips.

BMI tells you about how much fat you have on your body, but it does not show where you carry your weight. To measure your waist size, stand up straight and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hip bones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.

Most women should aim for a waist size of less than 35 inches.

Of course, this does not mean that if you carry your weight in your hips you should not worry. It's important for all women — no matter where you carry your weight — to be physically active and eat healthy to lower your risk for health problems.

Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Additional Materials (7)

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Distribution of Fat in Woman

\"Women and men store fat in different places. Men tend to carry weight on their chest, abdomens, and buttocks-they're \"apples.\" Women, on the other hand, tend to carry fat on their breasts, hips, waists, and buttocks, making them \"pears.\" The difference is determined by the hormones estrogen and testosterone at puberty. Puberty is also the time when the number of fat cells you'll have for the rest of your life is set. Fat cells are generated in the developing fetus and also at puberty, but normally aren't generated after that. When you store more fat, the fat cells increase in size, but not in number. (The exceptions are if you gain a large amount of weight or if you have liposuction.)

Image by TheVisualMD

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Apple Shaped Vs. Pear Shaped

Our bodies are conditioned to store fat, in case we have to live through a famine. The fat that is stored in our abdomens, surrounding our organs, is called visceral fat. Because visceral fat can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes, it is much more dangerous than the fat stored beneath our skin, on our hips and limbs. That is why doctors pay attention to your waist-to-hip ration. Apple-shaped people, whose waists are larger than their hip, are prone to more health complications than pear-shaped people.

Video by TheVisualMD

Break the Cycle and Peel the Layers of Fat Off 1

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Break the Cycle and Peel the Layers of Fat Off

Break the Cycle and Peel the Layers of Fat Off

Interactive by TheVisualMD

Cross Section of Thin Female / Cross Section of Obese Female Body

Cross-Section Thin vs Obese Female Body

If you have overweight or obesity, your risk for many health problems is higher than that of women who are at a normal weight. Even a small amount of weight loss can lower your risk for or even prevent health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Interactive by TheVisualMD

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Fat Is Good

Fat is a critical component of your body:Cell membrane function. Fats and lipids are crucial components of cell membranes. They keep the watery contents of the cell separate from the watery environment around it, selectively allowing water and other important substances, like nutrients, oxygen and waste products, to pass in and out as needed. Hormone manufacture. Adipose (fat) tissue produces numerous hormones, including prostaglandins, which regulate many of the body’s functions, and sex hormones, such as estrogen. Nervous system structure and development. Structural fat is found in the myelin sheaths of neural cells and is a key component of the synapses, or connections, between them. Myelin speeds the transmission of nerve impulses. Fat is also an important component of the brain—in fact, more than 50% of the dry weight of the brain is fat. Energy production. The mitochondria of your cells—their “powerhouses”—have the critical function of converting fats into energy so that your body can do its work.

Image by TheVisualMD

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Torso of an Overweight Woman

3D visualization of a frontal-oblique view of the midsection of an overweight woman.

Image by TheVisualMD

Overweight Woman with Visible Internal Anatomy Walking Outdoor

The skeletal system is visible in the overweight woman, who's walking for exercise. Cardiovascular training such as walking elevates the heart rate and increases the strength of the heart, which in turn allows for greater blood flow through the blood vessels.

Image by TheVisualMD

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Distribution of Fat in Woman

TheVisualMD

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Apple Shaped Vs. Pear Shaped

TheVisualMD

Break the Cycle and Peel the Layers of Fat Off

TheVisualMD

Cross-Section Thin vs Obese Female Body

TheVisualMD

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Fat Is Good

TheVisualMD

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Torso of an Overweight Woman

TheVisualMD

Overweight Woman with Visible Internal Anatomy Walking Outdoor

TheVisualMD

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