Obesity

Obesity is having an excess amount of body fat for your height. It raises your risk for serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, some types of cancer, and stroke.

Obesity can be treated. This often involves a long-term plan for lifestyle changes. But lifestyle changes may not be enough for everyone. In those cases, medicine or surgery is sometimes used.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.