Obesity

Obesity is the name for the condition of being overweight because of too much body fat. Persons who have obesity are called obese. Obesity is not an illness, but it increases the risk of serious and permanent diseases, e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, joint disorders and cancer.

Fat is the energy storing unit of the body. It is „filled up“ every time the intake of caloriesis higher thanenergy consumption. This excess is called „positive energy balance“. If ingestion of calories is lower than energy consumption, the body burns up fat from the energy storing unit. This is called „negative energy balance“. Humans need energy for their basic metabolism and this means energy is necessary for the maintenance of all body functions, e.g., physical activities and even digestion itself. A small amount of fat reserves are essential, but too much harms the body.

An indicator for body fatness is the so-called Body-Mass-Index (BMI) which measures weight in relation to height. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. To calculate your own BMI, you can use this formula:

BMI = weight (kg) / height x height (m²)

BMI Disease risk:

• <18.5 underweight
• 18.5 – 24.9 normal weight
• 25.0 – 29.9 overweight
• 30.0 – 34.9 class I obesity
• 35.0 – 39.9 class II obesity
• >40.0 class III obesity

There are different causes of obesity: genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, particular medications and drugs, etc.However, the most common cause is a lack of physical exercise combined with a poor diet and high caloric intake, along with a genetic susceptbility. Being underweight can also be dangerous. In extreme individual cases, being underweight can cause endocrine disorders, potassium deficiency, and organ failure.

Obesity and high waist circumference ( more than 94cm in men and 80cm in women) are high-risk factors which can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, a dangerous combination of medical disorders including obesity, high blood sugar, elevated blood lipids and high blood pressure. All of these medical disorders can cause cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the organs and diabetes Damage to the blood vessels, liver, joints and other organs are also common.

If you click on the „Conditions & Indications“ button at the top of this page and scroll down to „High blood pressure“, you wil find more information related to this condition.