About Obesity

Obesity means excessive fat that impairs health. It is the biggest public health problem of all developed and developing countries. The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related health conditions is increasing worldwide. Obesity is defined as a chronic disease now.

The relationship between height and weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), is used to evaluate obesity.

What causes obesity?

1-Low Physical Activity

2-Diet

3-Eating Disorders

4-Insufficient sleep

5-Genetic predisposition

6-Some medical reasons:

Cushing’s Disease
Hypothyroidism
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Growth Hormone Disorders
Psychological factors (depression, seasonal effective disorder, etc.)
Medicines

Is obesity just an aesthetic problem?

The World Health Organization (WHO) data show that obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death after smoking.

The list below lists the diseases that obesity causes or contributes to.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Myocardial Ischemia(Heart attack), Hypertension(High Blood Pressure), Dyslipidemia(High cholesterol Level), Deep Vein Thrombosis (Intravascular clot formation)

Endocrine: Insulin Resistance, Impaired Fasting Glucose Levels, Type 2 Diabetes, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Menstrual Disorders, Infertility, Intrauterine Death (Stillbirth)

Neurological: Pseudotumor Cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension), Dementia, Stroke

Psychosocial: Eating disorders, Self-esteem disorders, Body Image Disorders, Depression, Social Isolation

Respiratory System: Exercise Intolerance, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Asthma

Gastrointestinal: Gastroesophageal Reflux, Fatty Liver, Cholelithiasis (Formation of gallstones)

Dermatology: Striae (stretch marks), Cellulite, Lymphedema, Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)

Urology and Nephrology: Kidney Stones, Kidney Failure, Urinary Incontinence, Sexual Dysfunction

Increase in cancer formation: Breast, Ovary, Esophagus, Stomach, Colon, Liver, Pancreas, Gallbladder, Endometrium (uterus), Prostate, Lymphoma (lymph gland cancer)

Musculoskeletal System: Limitation of movement, Osteoarthritis (joint rheumatism), Back and Waist Pain, Flat Feet, Joint Problems, Forearm Fractures

Obesity increases the all-cause mortality rate. This ratio is directly related to BMI; in other words, the higher the BMI, the higher the risk of death.

How Should the Obese Patient Be Evaluated?

It is recommended to calculate BMI during routine health checks of adults and to add waist circumference if BMI is 25-35 kg/m2.

Patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 or abdominal obesity should be evaluated for underlying causes and health risks. A detailed history should be taken, and the followings should be questioned:
the patient’s time of weight gain, weight control experiences, nutrition and exercise habits, medicines used, and medical history information including smoking.
In these patients, non-operative methods (stomach botox, gastric balloon) can be applied if success is not achieved with appropriate nutrition program and exercise therapy.

Bariatric surgery should be planned for patients with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, patients with obesity-related health conditions and patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2.

About Obesity

About Obesity

What causes obesity?

Is obesity just an aesthetic problem?

How Should the Obese Patient Be Evaluated?

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