OBESITYDr Tasneem Manasawala

OBESITY Obesity is a medical condition in which

excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health.

Defined by the WHO as a BMI of over 30Kg/m2

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing rates in adults and children.

Some facts! In 2014, 600 million adults (13%) and 42 million

children under the age of five were obese.

Obesity is more common in women than men.

Authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.

In 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease.

BMI

If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.

If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the normal or healthy weight range.

If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range.

If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.

Weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used as a screening tool for overweight or obesity.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. 

BMI (kg/m2) Classification

from up to

18.5 underweight

18.5 25.0 normal weight

25.0 30.0 overweight

30.0 35.0 class I obesity

35.0 40.0 class II obesity

40.0   class III obesity 

CLASSIFICATION

CAUSES OF OBESITY Overweight and obesity result from an energy

imbalance. The body needs a certain amount of energy (calories) from food to keep up basic life functions. Body weight tends to remain the same when the number of calories eaten equals the number of calories the body uses or “burns.” Over time, when people eat and drink more calories than they burn, the energy balance tips toward weight gain, overweight, and obesity.

Many factors can lead to energy imbalance and weight gain. They include genes, eating habits, how and where people live, attitudes and emotions, life habits, and income.

CAUSES AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL At an individual level, a combination of

excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity is thought to explain most cases of obesity. 

A limited number of cases are due primarily to genetics, medical reasons, or psychiatric illness.

CAUSES AT SOCIETAL LEVEL In contrast,

increasing rates of obesity at a societal level are felt to be due to an easily accessible and palatable diet, increased reliance on cars, and mechanized manufacturing.

MORBIDITYObesity increases the risk of many physical

and mental conditions. These co-morbidities are most commonly

shown in metabolic syndrome, a combination of medical disorders which includes: 

diabetes mellitus type 2  high blood pressure high blood cholesterol  high triglyceride levels

EFFECTS ON HEALTH

CARDIOLOGY Coronary heart disease,

Angina and Myocardial Infarction

Congestive heart failure High Blood Pressure Abnormal Cholesterol Levels Atherosclerosis Deep Vein Thrombosis Pulmonary Embolism

ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE Diabetes Mellitus Poly Cystic Ovarian

Syndrome Menstrual Disorders Infertility Complications during

Pregnancy Birth Defects Intra Uterine Fetal death

NEUROLOGY Stroke Meralgia

Paresthetica Migraines

GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastro

esophageal Reflux Disease

Fatty Liver Disease

Cholelithiasis (Gall stones)

DERMATOLOGY Stretch Marks Acanthosis

Nigricans Lymphedema Cellulitis Hirsutism Intertrigo

ONCOLOGY Esophageal Colorectal Pancreatic Gall Bladder

MANAGEMENT

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT The most effective treatment for

obesity is bariatric surgery.  Surgery for severe obesity is

associated with long-term weight loss, improvement in obesity related conditions, and decreased overall mortality.