US President Donald Trump’s recent weight gain has drawn renewed attention from doctors, who say carrying excess weight can increase the risk of several serious health problems, particularly as he ages.Trump weighed 238 pounds (108 kg) at his medical examination in May, according to a White House medical report. That was 14 pounds more than the previous year and about 23 pounds more than the 215 pounds recorded in 2023. At a height of 6 feet 3 inches, his BMI is around 29.7, just below the threshold of 30 used to classify obesity. The concern comes as Trump, 80, has previously been advised by his physicians to improve his diet, exercise more and lose weight.Weight Gain Becomes More Concerning With AgeExcess body weight is associated with a higher risk of conditions including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, certain cancers and osteoarthritis.Doctors also point to visceral fat, the fat stored around internal organs, as particularly concerning because it can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance.Dr. Scott Kahan, the director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, told the Post, “We know that obesity is a strong risk factor for numerous health issues — as well as premature disability and death.” He added thar addressing obesity should be a priority for protecting the president’s health. He said, “Addressing obesity to protect the president’s health should be a priority similar to ensuring Secret Service protections for his life.” In a podcast with Katie Miller, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that that Trump’s dietary habits were not ideal.“The interesting thing about the president is that he eats really bad food, which is McDonald’s, and, you then know, candy and Diet Coke. He drinks Diet Coke at all times. He has the constitution of a deity. I don’t know how he’s alive, but he is,” Kennedy said.Also read: Meet Heidi Overton: Trump Set to Nominate White House Adviser to Lead FDAVisceral Fat Is A Bigger ConcernAlthough Trump's BMI is close to the obesity threshold, doctors caution that BMI is a screening tool, not a complete measure of health. For older adults, physicians also consider muscle mass, body-fat distribution, waist circumference, physical function, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.Dr Gitanjali Srivastava, an obesity specialist who treats older adults, told The Post that at this age, the focus should be less on a single number and more on “what is the percent body fat?” David Kessler, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, put focus on where the body stores fat. He pointed to visceral adiposity, describing it as fat around organs such as the liver, pancreas and heart where it can contribute to disease. It is associated with metabolic problems like insulin resistance and abnormal cholesterol levels, which can increase cardiovascular risk.Also read: US HHS Accuses 200+ Hospitals Of Improperly Billing Over 120 Million For Gender-Related Care In MinorsTrump’s Weight Has Fluctuated Over The Years Trump's weight and overall health has been one of the most-discussed topics throughout his political career. During his first presidency, his weight was reported at 243 pounds in 2019 and 244 pounds in 2020, putting him in the obesity category at his reported height. He later appeared thinner during his 2023 presidential campaign, with his campaign saying he had reduced his weight through an improved diet and daily physical activity. His most recent reported weight therefore represents a substantial increase from the 215-pound figure recorded in 2023. The White House has defended Trump's overall health, pointing to his energy, stamina and cognitive fitness. A spokesperson said he remains highly active and described him as working continuously. Trump's physicians have advised him to make changes to his diet and increase physical activity. Former White House physician Ronny Jackson wrote in a 2022 memoir that he had advised Trump that he would be “a little healthier” if he improved his diet, exercised and lost some weight. In 2018, Jackson said a reasonable goal would be for Trump to lose 10 to 15 pounds.Trump himself has acknowledged concerns about his weight over the years. In a recent podcast appearance, he joked about not wanting to surpass former President William Howard Taft, who weighed more than 300 pounds. Trump joked, “He was our heaviest president, and I have to be careful because I don’t want to supersede his record."