Obesity
Overview
Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that presents a risk to health. In adults, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is the usual benchmark used to define it.1
Causes
At its core, obesity results from a long term imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Contributing factors include diet, physical inactivity, genetics, and broader social and environmental influences such as food availability and lifestyle patterns.2
Health Risks
Obesity increases the risk of numerous conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, musculoskeletal problems, chronic respiratory disease, and certain cancers. In the United States, obesity related conditions cost more than $150 billion each year.2
Treatment
Treatment typically centers on reducing caloric intake and increasing physical activity. Medications that reduce appetite or fat absorption, and in more severe cases bariatric surgery, may also be used to support weight loss and reduce related health risks.2
Why Visual Communication Matters for Obesity
Obesity affects nearly every organ system in the body, and explaining that web of connections, from metabolic pathways to cardiovascular strain, is difficult to do with text alone. Clear illustrations help patients and clinical teams understand both the mechanisms involved and the rationale behind different treatment approaches.
How We Support Obesity Communication
We help with:
- Illustrations explaining energy balance and metabolic mechanisms
- Visuals showing how obesity relates to associated health conditions
- Patient education content on treatment options, including medication and surgery
- Sales and training materials for pharmaceutical and medical device companies
Have a Project in Mind?
Whether you’re explaining metabolic mechanisms, developing patient education materials, or presenting clinical research, we create visuals that make complex science easier to understand.
Contact us at info@biotic-artlab.com or reach out through our contact page to discuss your next obesity communication project.
References
- Overview of Obesity. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available here.
- Obesity: What It Is, Classes, Symptoms, Causes. Cleveland Clinic. Available here.