Obesity – causes, symptoms & therapy

Obesity

The medical term obesity stands for morbid obesity or obesity. From a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30 one no longer speaks of overweight, but of obesity. About 20 percent of all Germans are considered obese.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic disease that can lead to health problems, accompanying and secondary diseases and a reduced life expectancy. Fat tissue accumulates in the body, which drastically increases body weight.

Obesity is divided into three degrees of severity. Grade I obesity corresponds to a BMI between 30 and 35. A BMI between 35 and 40 is grade II obesity and a BMI of 40 and above is grade III obesity.

causes

The cause of obesity lies in an increased calorie intake, malnutrition and lack of exercise. Obese people consume too many fats and carbohydrates , which the body cannot break down completely and is stored as fat in the fat cells.In the case of what is known as dietary obesity, it is not necessarily the case that too much is eaten; rather, the cause of excessive fat storage lies in the inferior quality of the food consumed. In addition, there are irregular meals and unhealthy eating habits. Another cause of obesity can be eating disorders based on psychological illnesses.

Scientists have discovered that obesity can also be genetic. Triggered by gestational diabetes in the mother, the foundations for later obesity can already be laid in the prenatal phase. Other causes of obesity are metabolic disorders , hormonal imbalances (cortisol), hypothyroidism or the use of certain medications such as cortisol-containing antidepressants, contraceptives or insulin in diabetics.

When to the doctor?

If your BMI is over 30, you should see a doctor. If there are no other complaints, it is still advisable to have a check-up or a check-up carried out at regular intervals. If vegetative disorders occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted. They include excessive sweating, tachycardia , shortness of breath or shortness of breath. In the case of musculoskeletal disorders, bone pain and persistent muscle tension, a doctor’s visit is necessary. There is a risk of permanent damage and chronic diseases that have a progressive course and will thus significantly worsen the state of health.

If there is an impairment in the fulfillment of professional and social tasks, it is advisable to consult a doctor. A doctor’s visit is also necessary if additional emotional suffering occurs. They include a persistent low mood, aggressiveness, or listlessness. Loss of self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, shame, guilt, or unusual fears should be discussed with a doctor or therapist.

If sleep disorders , metabolic problems and unusual eating habits persist for several weeks , a doctor’s visit is necessary. If repeated intentional vomiting occurs immediately after eating, consult a doctor. The organism is overtaxed by the problems described and can suffer from failure. In order to prevent life-threatening diseases such as a heart attack or a stroke, a doctor must be consulted at an early stage.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of obesity:

Obese people often suffer from orthopedic problems associated with increased body weight. Chronic obesity primarily puts a strain on the knee joints, but also on the spine, especially in the lumbar region and the hip joints. The excessive strain leads to increased wear and tear on the joints and vertebral bodies, which in turn leads to corresponding pain.

Due to the increased body weight, obese people are hardly physically resilient. Even the slightest physical exertion, such as climbing stairs, causes them to sweat, and they also experience exhaustion, shortness of breath and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of obesity include elevated levels of cholesterol , triglycerides, uric acid, and blood sugar. Elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus are serious accompanying and secondary diseases associated with obesity.

Diagnose

Obesity is easily diagnosed based on body weight. The formula for calculating BMI is as follows: Body weight: (height in m)². A BMI of 30 and above is diagnosed with obesity. However, the age of the patient is also taken into account. The desirable BMI increases with age up to a maximum of 29. In addition to the BMI, the doctor also records the waist circumference. This should not exceed 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men. Higher values ​​indicate general obesity or abdominal obesity. In addition, the doctor will use a blood test to determine the blood fat and uric acid levels and take a blood pressure measurement, since obese people often also suffer from high blood pressure.

complications

Obesity can be associated with undesirable complications both under therapy and untreated. This is because morbid obesity can adversely affect different parts of the body. This primarily includes the cardiovascular system. Being overweight, which often goes hand in hand with an unhealthy diet, increases the risk of arteriosclerosis.

The massive late effects can therefore be a heart attack , a stroke or permanent high blood pressure (hypertension). Obesity also has unfavorable effects on the metabolism. The risk of developing diabetes (diabetes mellitus) or fatty liver, for example, increases significantly in obese people.

Also from an orthopedic point of view obesity as pathological overweight is often associated with problems. Excessive weight puts excessive strain on the joints of the knees, hips and spine. Wear and tear and inflammatory reactions can be the result. When considering the complications of obesity, the psychological component of the affected patient must not be neglected.

The well-being of people who are very heavy can be significantly impaired. On the one hand, this is due to a comparatively high level of immobility, and on the other hand, because being overweight is often associated with a lack of attractiveness. As a result, in many cases obesity also has a noticeable negative impact on the patient’s self-esteem.

treatment and therapy

Obesity treatment is aimed at reducing body weight. This is achieved with a change in diet combined with a consistent reduction in calorie intake and regular exercise. The goal is slow but permanent weight loss. It is a lengthy process, because radical diets are not suitable for obesity therapy.

The change in diet is supported by special courses on healthy eating , which also include shopping and food preparation. These courses give the concepts of appetite, hunger and feeling of satiety new meaning, the perception of which often has to be re-learned by those affected. The costs for this are covered by the health insurance companies or at least subsidized.

A sports program specially tailored to obese people is closely linked to the change in diet. Endurance sports that are gentle on the joints such as Nordic walking, swimming, cycling or aerobics increase energy consumption and support weight loss .

But the psyche must not be neglected during therapy either. Courses to increase motivation, reduce stress and learn methods to cope with stress are in the foreground. Professional support with cognitive behavioral therapy contributes significantly to the success of obesity therapy.

Surgical gastric reduction surgery is the last resort for obese patients with a BMI over 40. Due to the reduced food intake of the subsequently much smaller stomach, the food and thus the calorie intake is decisively restricted and weight loss is promoted.

prevention

A healthy lifestyle with a low-fat diet rich in vitamins and fiber is the best way to avoid being overweight and obese. This includes regularly checking your body weight and not eating fast food, high-calorie snacks and sugary soft drinks. Instead, foods with a low energy density such as fruit and vegetables should be consumed. Regular physical activity in the form of endurance sports increases fitness, increases positive body awareness and effectively counteracts weight gain .

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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