What’s Getting in the Way of Your Obesity Weight Loss Goals? Take the Assessment

For years, obesity was seen incorrectly as a matter of diet and exercise and the failure to optimize these lifestyle factors. Obesity is now recognized as what it really is: a complex, chronic metabolic condition that goes beyond a number on the scale and often requires more than the age-old advice to simply eat less and move more.

Obesity is caused by a variety of metabolic, genetic, and environmental factors. As a result, it requires a comprehensive treatment plan that often involves diet and exercise, as well as additional interventions, such as medication and behavioral therapy. “Managing your weight requires a holistic approach, as factors that you might not consider, like sleep or stress, can influence how your body responds to treatment,” says Kimberly Gudzune, MD, MPH, a board-certified obesity medicine physician and faculty member affiliated with the health policy and management department at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Even if you’re closely following your treatment plan, you may be overlooking some behaviors or co-occurring health conditions that can stand in the way of reaching your weight loss goals. Take this assessment to see what may be preventing you from losing weight. For each question, choose the answer that resonates with you most.