Is it my fault that I'm overweight?

No, abolutely not. If you live with excess weight, you are far from alone.

However, the struggle to lose weight can feel long and lonely. For many, being overweight (BMI over 25) or obese (BMI over 30) has a major impact on physical and mental health with decreasing quality of life and increased risk of sequelae.

Obesity is classified as a disease, but as a patient you often encounter prejudice and blame.

A common belief is that it is about laziness and bad character and that the solution is simple, just eat less and move more. The truth is considerably more complex where genetics, social development and biological survival processes can play a role and counteract weight loss. Yo-yo dieting and going on diets have become part of life for many. The weight loss is often temporary and the statistics for success are unfortunately bleak.

Eight out of 10 people with obesity who previously lost weight do not manage to keep it off. Obesity is a disease that results from the body's signals for hunger and appetite being altered, and with modern medicines you can restore a more natural balance when you don't eat more than you need.

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