Definition of Obesity
Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat causing prejudice to health. Obesity is usually assessed in clinical practices by the Body Mass Index (BMI).
BMI is expressed by the ratio of body weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters (kg/m2).
Despite some limitations, BMI has been globally adopted as an easy clinical tool to classify patients into risk categories and to monitor changes in adiposity over time at both the individual and population levels.
Since its introduction, many medical studies highlight a connection between BMI and mortality risk.
A BMI above 30 kg/m2 is associated with an increased mortality risk.
BMI Grades:
|
Overweight |
IMC 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m2 |
|
Obesity - Class I (moderate) |
IMC 30.0 - 34.9 kg/m2 |
|
Obesity - Class II (severe) |
IMC 35.0 - 39.9 kg/m2 |
|
Obesity - Class III (morbid) |
IMC > 40 kg/m2 |
Obesity is a Global concern
Despite medical research and public efforts devoted to understanding the biology of obesity, it has become obvious that available knowledge has to date been of little help to curb the obesity epidemic. No part of the world has been spared from this phenomenon.
The World Health Organization highlights that in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults (18 years and older) were overweight. Of these, over 650 million were obese. Global medical studies also proved that elevated BMI values were responsible for 5 million deaths in 2019, with two-thirds of this number alone attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The data is damning worldwide, from north to south, east to west. In the United States, the prevalence of obesity reached almost 36.2% of its population. In Saudi Arabia, 35.4%. In Brazil, 22.1%. In China, more than 86 million people are obese.
Obesity is a chronic disease
Obesity, especially severe, is a chronic disease that can cause metabolic disorders. There are currently more than 30 disease risks facilitated by being overweight and obese that have been identified on a scientific basis. It includes diabetes (Mellitus type 2), cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and depression.
Several cardiometabolic imaging studies have shown that overweight individuals are at high risk when they have an excess of visceral adipose tissue. This is a condition often accompanied by the accumulation of fat in normally lean tissues: ectopic fat deposition in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, etc.
Hence, excessive amounts of visceral adipose tissue and ectopic fat largely define the cardiovascular disease risk of being overweight or obese. A rapidly expanding subgroup of patients is characterized by a high body fat accumulation (severe obesity).
Relationships between high-risk obesities, intermediate cardiometabolic risk factors, and cardiovascular outcomes. The majority of the association between adiposity and cardiovascular diseases is explained by altered cardiometabolic risk factors and comorbidities. However, high-risk obesities are the main drivers of altered cardiometabolic risk mediators.
Medical and Psychological assessment for obesity
An initial medical assessment should be carried out by a doctor. This evaluation is used to diagnose the patient, assess an eating disorder, evaluate associated diseases, and judge whether or not additional investigations are necessary, either physical and/or psychological.
This consultation also makes it possible to refer the patient to a conventional treatment path or to bariatric surgery, the latter being suggested for patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m².
In addition, we can observe devasting social consequences. Indeed, people suffering from obesity very often fall victim to discrimination and rejection during schooling, in sports, and in professional circles and relationships.
Science and obesity
Science has made outstanding progress in our ability to manage the disease risk of being overweight or obese. Nevertheless, obesity remains the primary CVD risk factor that has not been adequately tackled either by lifestyle or pharmacotherapy, as opposed to hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking.
Furthermore, a previous study has revealed that the bulk of the CVD risk resulting from high BMI or an elevated waist circumference was largely mediated by altered intermediate risk factors (atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus).
Based on such widespread growth, it is obvious that our evolving scientific knowledge of the etiology of obesity and its management at the individual level has not been translated into successful, large-scale clinical programs.
Advice for moving more, working out, and eating less and better certainly makes sense but is too simple in the face of our complex obesity-promoting environment. Thus, beyond a better understanding of the biology of energy homeostasis and obesity, the major social, environmental, and economic drivers of this epidemic must be understood, and precise solutions targeting them should be proposed.
It’s Time for you to change
Obesity is not inevitable and it’s certainly not irreversible. It’s time for you to change. Change your habits, fix your eating disorder and motivate yourself to become healthy.
There are several ways to assess and reduce your weight to avoid the disease risks of being overweight and obese. Food programs, prescription drugs, and the practice of daily physical activity to name a few.
During its research, Synnergan Biotech Switzerland has discovered a unique and natural formula that will help you lose weight.
Composed of hibiscus, Fortelimine® is a patented product developed by Synnergan in a Swiss laboratory. It is easily available without a prescription and accessible because it’s much cheaper than competitors. It is also natural and causes no harmful side effects. It will support you in your weight loss journey.