Obesity Symptoms

The symptoms of obesity go beyond excess body fat. People with obesity may experience skin problems, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and more.

Some symptoms may increase the risk of developing certain diseases and disorders. In some cases, these may be life-threatening or even fatal.

This article explains the difference between being overweight and having the disease of obesity. It also describes obesity signs and symptoms in children and adults, as well as possible complications.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity is a chronic condition that occurs when an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat presents a risk to health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 42.4% of the U.S. adult population was affected by obesity.

Symptoms of Obesity in Adults

The American Medical Association considers obesity itself a disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated. That's due to symptoms and complications that are common among people with obesity.

Common symptoms of obesity in adults include:

• Excess body fat, particularly around the waist
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating more than usual
• Snoring
• Trouble sleeping
• Skin problems from moisture accumulating in the folds
• Inability to perform simple physical tasks you could easily perform before weight gain
• Fatigue, which can range from mild to extreme
• Pain, especially in the back and joints
• Psychological issues such as negative self-esteem, depression, shame, and social isolation

Symptoms of Obesity in Children

The CDC says the rate of childhood obesity in the U.S. has tripled in the last 50 years. In 2020, nearly 20% of American children and adolescents (ages 2 to 19) were considered to have obesity.

Common childhood obesity symptoms may include:

• Fatty tissue deposits (may be noticeable in the breast area)
• Stretch marks on the hips and back
• Acanthosis nigricans (dark velvety skin around the neck and other areas)
• Shortness of breath with physical activity
• Sleep apnea
• Constipation 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Low self-esteem
• Early puberty in biological females/delayed puberty in biological males
• Orthopedic problems, such as flat feet or dislocated hips

Childhood obesity rates vary between different groups.

Symptoms of Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity is a growing health concern in many developed countries of the world today, particularly in the United States.

You're considered to be affected by morbid obesity if:

• You're 100 pounds over your optimal body weight.
• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher.
• Your BMI is 35 or higher and you have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Morbid obesity is also called extreme obesity or class III obesity. It can make it hard to complete everyday activities such as walking and can make it hard to breathe. It also raises your risk of many serious health conditions.

Causes of Obesity

There are many underlying factors that can contribute to obesity.

Genetic Factors

Early-onset obesity can develop in kids due to rare genetic disorders. These disorders involve genes that play a role in regulating appetite and energy expenditure.

These conditions and their effects include:

• Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include extreme hunger (hyperphagia) starting during infancy, early-onset obesity, and hormonal problems.
• Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include hyperphagia, severe early-onset obesity, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (when the testicles or ovaries produce little or no sex hormones).
• Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS): Key symptoms include early-onset obesity, hyperphagia, vision impairment, having an extra finger or toe (polydactyly), and kidney problems.

Let a child's healthcare provider know if you see any of these symptoms.

Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Factors

Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for obesity include:

• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy eating behaviors
• Not getting enough sleep
• Experiencing high amounts of stress

Socioeconomic status is another factor associated with obesity. Studies show that people with a lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have a higher BMI. For example, children in lower-income families are more likely to have obesity than those in high-income households.

Diseases and Conditions

Certain medical problems or health conditions may cause weight gain. They include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Metabolic syndrome
• Cushing's syndrome
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Pregnancy

Medications

Certain medications can also contribute to weight gain. They include:

• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Beta-blockers
• Birth control
• Glucocorticoids
• Insulin

Diagnosing Obesity

To diagnose obesity, a healthcare professional uses two measurements to assess health risks related to your weight.

Body mass index

Body mass index (BMI) is a number that's calculated using your height and body weight.

The following chart shows how your BMI corresponds to your weight status.

Keep in mind that BMI isn’t always an accurate measurement of body fat content. BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. 

For example, muscle weighs more than fat, so some athletes might have a BMI that suggests clinical obesity even when they have very little body fat.

Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.

Waist Circumference

Waist circumference is measured at a point halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.

According to the CDC, you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:

• A male with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches
• A non-pregnant female with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches

Having excessive abdominal fat has been linked to obesity-related conditions, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease

Complications Related to Obesity

Obesity can contribute to many serious health disorders. Serious health complications that are more likely to occur with obesity include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease from the heart working harder to pump blood throughout the body
• High cholesterol levels (fatty deposits that can block arteries), which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other complications
• Type 2 diabetes, which is directly linked to obesity in nearly 50% of cases
• Some types of cancer, which are linked to obesity in about 40% of cases
  
• Asthma, plus worse asthma symptoms and control, which leads to more hospitalizations and medication usage
• Obese asthma, which is a unique type of asthma found only in some people with obesity
• Kidney disease due to kidney damage from chronic high blood pressure
• Osteoarthritis from excess strain on the joints, bones, and muscles
• Gallbladder disease, which becomes 7% more likely with each step up on the BMI chart
• Sleep apnea from fat deposits in the neck and tongue that block airways
• GERD, hiatal hernia, and heartburn from excess weight pushing on the valve that's supposed to keep stomach contents out of the esophagus

When such health conditions are present, they can cause serious long-term disabilities and even increase one's risk of death. People with obesity are known to experience a shortened lifespan because of this.

Summary

Obesity (defined as a BMI over 30) can occur in adults and children. It causes symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain, among others. Obesity can also cause psychological problems including low self-esteem and depression due to social stigma.

Health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure often go hand-in-hand with obesity. Resulting complications include heart problems, stroke, and kidney disease.