How excess weight affects your health: 4 common causes and where to start

Weight that creeps up a little at a time rarely feels like a problem today. Over the years, though, excess weight and fat around the waist become risk factors for several health problems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) links overweight and obesity to the growing burden of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as liver disease, kidney disease and some cancers.

4 common causes of excess weight

• Taking in more energy than the body uses, such as fried food, sweets and sugary drinks on a regular basis
• Unbalanced plates: lots of starch and sugar but few vegetables, fruit and protein, or not eating from all 5 food groups
• Too little protein at each meal, which leaves some people hungry sooner and snacking through the day
• Too little rest, too little water and not enough movement

Read next: How to manage your weight the healthy way: 5 practical tips ›

Why belly fat deserves attention

• Some people are not heavy and do not look overweight, yet carry fat inside the abdomen that is hard to see
• The company's Happy Series material calls belly fat a "silent danger" and encourages checking your waist regularly
• A simple check from the material: if your waist is more than half your height, it counts as central obesity

Read next: What is BMI, how do you work it out, and how do you check your waist against your height? ›

2 checks you can do at home

• Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) ÷ height (m) squared. The normal range for Thai adults is 18.5–22.9
• Measure your waist at navel level with a tape measure and compare it with half your height
• See the full calculation and how to read it in our article "What is BMI?"

Start with small steps

• Cut down on sugar-sweetened drinks and energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, as WHO recommends
• Fill half your plate with vegetables and include protein at every meal
• Get enough sleep, drink enough water and move regularly
• Set small, realistic goals and build up step by step

Read next: Good nutrition is more than counting calories: look at the balance of nutrients ›

Read next: Why weight creeps up with age, and 6 ways to manage it ›

This article is general health information, not a diagnosis. Results vary from person to person. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take medication, talk to your doctor before changing your diet or starting exercise. For help choosing foods and products, ask us on LINE.

Image and reference from official material in the MyHerbalife media library: Happy Series – Knowledge 2 (social) (added to the library: Jul 2025)

Reference: World Health Organization (WHO): Obesity and overweight (viewed 14 Oct 2026) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Herbalife products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Compiled by Well Nutrition Hub from the sources listed at the end of this article. Copyright in the referenced content, images and media belongs to the respective rights holders. You are welcome to share the link to this article.