What Is Obesity? An Endocrinologist Explains

There is some controversy about the word obesity and the role of body size in health. There are also myths about what causes people to gain weight or have difficulty losing weight. 

In this video, learn the traditional definition of obesity and why it’s not exclusively tied to lifestyle choices, according to Minisha Sood, MD, Endocrinologist in New York City.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts