Overweight
Videos
Overview
Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. It sits between a healthy weight range and obesity, and it is the most common weight category among American adults. Being overweight does not automatically mean being unhealthy, but it often comes with early signs of metabolic strain, such as rising blood pressure, blood sugar or triglycerides, and it is frequently a stage on the way to obesity (Jensen et al., AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline, Circulation, 2014).
BMI is only a screening tool. It does not distinguish muscle from fat or show where fat is stored. Two people with a BMI of 28 can have very different health risks depending on their waist size, body fat percentage and metabolic labs. Recent expert recommendations emphasize measuring body fat or waist circumference and looking for weight-related health effects, not BMI alone (Rubino et al., Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission, Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2025).
For people who are overweight with weight-related health problems, modest weight loss of 5% to 10% can produce meaningful improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol (Jensen et al., AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline, Circulation, 2014).
Causes
- Calorie intake exceeding energy needs over time
- Diets high in ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks
- Physical inactivity and sedentary work
- Poor sleep and stress
- Genetics
- Medications that promote weight gain
- Life stages such as pregnancy and menopause
Risk Factors
- Family history of obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Short sleep
- Quitting smoking without a weight plan
- Certain medications
- Hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism and PCOS
Who It Affects
About one in three American adults is overweight. People of Asian descent develop metabolic complications at lower BMIs, which is why lower BMI thresholds are often used for them.
Complications
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes; see prediabetes
- High blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol
- Fatty liver disease
- Sleep apnea
- Joint pain
- Progression to obesity; see obesity
Symptoms
Overweight itself often causes no symptoms. Some people notice fatigue, reduced stamina, snoring, joint discomfort or heartburn. Lab tests may show early metabolic changes before any symptoms appear.
Diagnosis
- BMI of 25 to 29.9
- Waist circumference to assess abdominal fat
- Body composition testing to measure fat and muscle
- Blood pressure, glucose, HbA1c, lipids and liver tests to identify weight-related health problems
Differential Diagnosis
- High muscle mass in athletes, which raises BMI without excess fat
- Fluid retention
- Hypothyroidism or Cushing syndrome
Lifestyle Modifications
- Aim for 5% to 10% weight loss if you have weight-related health problems (Jensen et al., AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline, Circulation, 2014).
- Build meals around protein, vegetables and fiber.
- Limit sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods.
- Exercise 150 to 300 minutes per week, including strength training.
- Sleep seven to nine hours.
- Track progress with waist measurements and body composition, not just the scale.
Treatment Options
- Structured lifestyle programs with dietitian support, which reduce diabetes risk substantially (Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002)
- Anti-obesity medications for people with a BMI of 27 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, including GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide, which produced about 15% average weight loss in clinical trials (Wilding et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2021); see medical weight loss
- Endoscopic procedures such as intragastric balloons for selected patients; see gastric balloon
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you are gaining weight steadily, have a growing waistline, or have been told your blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol is rising.
When to Seek Treatment
Seek treatment if lifestyle changes have not worked and you have weight-related health conditions, or if your weight is approaching the obesity range.
Long-Term Outlook
Sustainable habits and, when appropriate, medication allow most people to maintain a healthier weight and prevent progression to obesity and diabetes.
Related Reading and Videos
Read more in our articles Who Is a Bariatric Surgery Candidate? Why 1991 Criteria Still Control Access — And Why Modern Evidence Says They Shouldn’t and GLP-1 Medications Explained: Benefits, Risks, and How to Choose a Treatment. Watch Obesity Is a Disease, Not a Failure: What That Really Means and What GLP-1s Are Really Doing to YOUR Body. Obesity Medicine Specialist spills the Truth on our video library. Related conditions include Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance. Treatments that may be involved include Bariatric Surgery (Metabolic & Weight-Loss Surgery), Allurion Balloon (Swallowable Gastric Balloon) and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG).
Prognosis
Treating overweight early, before obesity and its complications develop, is easier and more effective. Modest, sustained weight loss significantly improves health (Jensen et al., AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline, Circulation, 2014).
Why Choose Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz
Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz's practice offers a comprehensive medical weight loss program with body composition testing, nutrition support and modern medications, helping patients who are overweight address weight-related health risks early.
Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz has been performing bariatric surgery for over 25 years and has completed more than 9,000 bariatric operations — a volume few surgeons reach.
Featured Procedures
FAQ
The Allurion balloon is the only gastric balloon that needs no endoscopy or anesthesia for placement or removal — you swallow it, and it passes on its own at about four months (Vantanasiri et al., Obesity Surgery, 2020). Other balloons (such as Orbera or Spatz) require an endoscopy to place and remove. Compared with a surgical sleeve gastrectomy, the balloon is non-surgical, temporary, and lower-risk, but produces less weight loss and is a shorter-term tool rather than a permanent change (Jirapinyo & Thompson, 2022).
The Allurion balloon — originally called the Elipse balloon — is an intragastric balloon you swallow as a capsule, with no endoscopy, sedation, or anesthesia needed. Once it's confirmed in the stomach by X-ray, it's filled with about 550 mL of liquid. It stays in place for roughly four months to help you feel full and eat less, then empties on its own and passes naturally in the stool — no removal procedure required (Silva et al., Obesity Surgery, 2024; Jirapinyo & Thompson, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2022).
Some patients continue to perceive themselves as their former size even after substantial weight loss. This may happen because the brain’s body image takes time to adjust. Excess skin, unmet expectations, and comparisons with others can also contribute. Body-image therapy can help if these feelings are persistent or distressing.
No. BMI is a measure based on height and weight, but it does not distinguish muscle from fat or show where fat is distributed. Clinicians may consider other health information, such as obesity-related conditions, metabolic markers, and body composition, as part of an evaluation. How those measures affect eligibility and coverage varies.
