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Symptoms of Obesity

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The onset of obesity is usually gradual. Symptoms include:

  • Increased weight
  • Thickness around the midsection
  • Obvious areas of fat deposits

It’s important to remember that fat deposited in your midsection is as much of a health risk as increasing total body weight. If you are developing a thick midsection even though your weight is not going up, you may be losing muscle mass from disuse along with dangerous fat accumulation in your abdomen. This may place you at increased risk for heart (cardiovascular) disease.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co; 1999.

  • Fauci A. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .

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