Overweight

Key takeaways

• Energy imbalance is the core driver: the body stores excess calories as fat when intake consistently exceeds what is burned.
• Diagnosis and treatment targets rely on measurements and laboratory tests, alongside other conditions, medicines and individual risk.
• Genetics, hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism, certain medicines, poor sleep, and high-stress urban lifestyles all tip that balance.

Catalogue matches do not set personal targets or replace the measurements and monitoring used to choose treatment.

Why weight accumulates

Weight reflects more than willpower. Food environment, sleep, activity, medicines, mental health, hormones and genetics can all contribute. BMI is a screening measure rather than a diagnosis, so waist measurement and weight-related conditions may change how risk is interpreted.

Managing overweight

Management can address eating patterns, movement, sleep, medicines and related conditions without relying on crash diets. Some people may be offered weight management medicines after an individual risk assessment. Orlistat reduces absorption of some dietary fat, but adverse effects, contraindications and the wider plan still need review.

When to seek urgent care

Body weight alone is not an emergency. Call emergency services for chest pain, signs of stroke or severe breathlessness. Rapid unexplained weight change, fainting or symptoms suggesting an eating disorder need timely clinical assessment.