General information
Adiposity (obesity) describes a disease that is associated with severe overweight. This disease has many causes and consequences, which will be discussed in more detail below.
Definition
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one speaks of obesity when the body mass index (BMI) is above 30 kg/m2. The BMI generally describes the ratio of body weight to body height and is calculated as follows: Body weight in kg/height in m2. A BMI between 18.5 – 24.9 kg/m2 is called normal weight, while a BMI between 25 – 29.9 kg/m2 is defined as overweight or preadiposity.
Obesity is in turn divided into 3 degrees of severity depending on the level of BMI: This classification is not uncontroversial, however, as the distribution of fat in the body is not included. It is known that an increased abdominal girth (in women larger than 80 cm, in men larger than 92 cm) is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (diabetes). If, on the other hand, the fat is mainly found on the thighs and hips, the risk of such secondary diseases is much lower.
Even an increased muscle mass (such as in bodybuilders) does not do justice to the BMI as a basis for classifying obesity. Nevertheless, this classification is currently common and customary in the health system. – Grade I from 30kg/m2
- Grade II from 35kg/m2
- Grade III from 40kg/m2.
Frequency
According to statistics from recent years, about 25% of adults are obese, and in the age group between 3 and 17 years, 6% of children and adolescents were already obese. Worldwide, the proportion of obese people in a society (prevalence) is highest in the industrialised countries (USA, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Finland, etc.). Overall, the prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in recent decades, but currently the figure seems to be stabilising.
Causes
The causes of overweight and obesity are manifold. In addition, various factors such as education, income, etc. play a decisive role in the risk of developing obesity.
Unfavourable energy balance due to too many calories consumed with too little energy: The daily calorie requirement depends on many factors. Even the basal metabolic rate (energy requirement at rest) varies depending on gender, age, physique, etc. .
In addition to this, there is also the work conversion due to additional energy-consuming processes, such as sporting activity, mental activity, changing ambient temperatures, etc. Overweight or obesity always occurs when the body is supplied with more energy than it consumes over a longer period of time. Genetic factors:There is evidence that fat distribution and food utilisation are genetically influenced.
Fat metabolism disorders (such as hypercholesterolemia) can also be genetically determined. However, environmental factors always play a role in the development of obesity. Certain factors during pregnancy, such as maternal diabetes mellitus, increase the risk of the child developing obesity.
- Unfavourable energy balance due to too many calories consumed at too low an energy consumption: The daily calorie requirement depends on many factors. Even the basal metabolic rate (energy requirement at rest) varies depending on gender, age, physique and much more. In addition to this, there is also the work conversion due to additional energy-consuming processes, such as sporting activity, mental activity, changing ambient temperatures, etc.
Overweight or obesity always occurs when the body is supplied with more energy than it consumes over a longer period of time. – Genetic factors:There is evidence that fat distribution and food utilisation are genetically influenced. Fat metabolism disorders (such as hypercholesterolemia) can also be genetically determined. However, environmental factors always play a role in the development of obesity. Certain factors during pregnancy, such as maternal diabetes mellitus, increase the risk of the child developing obesity.
