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Obesity is a growing phenomenon in industrialized countries. It should be seen as a disease and no longer accepted as a normal condition.
WHO definition: Obesity is defined as excessive fatty deposits with harmful consequences for health.
In practice, obesity is defined according to the body mass index:
Weight (kg)
BMI= -------
Height2 (m2) |
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Obesity is defined at a BMI higher than 30 kg/m2.
Obesity is defined as “morbid” or “clinically severe” when the BMI is higher than 40 kg/m2. In such cases, the risk of obesity-linked complications is much higher and there is a considerably higher risk of mortality.
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Why do people become obese?
Obesity is caused by many factors.
The response “just eat less” is therefore not always helpful.
The causes are, inter alia,
• Genetic: genes play a major role in obesity and the tendency to gain weight . Unfortunately, we are not yet in a position to change them!
• Metabolic: some of us expend less basic energy than others and must eat much less to avoid calories being stored as fat. With low metabolism, the only way to lose weight is to considerably reduce calorie intake.
• Environmental: usually easily identifiable but sometimes more difficult to resist. Easy access to motor transport, lifts, remote controls….
• Medical: hypothyroidism may lead to weight gain of a few kilos, but it cannot be blamed for a gain of 40 kg! Some endocrinal disorders or the use of steroids and antidepressants may also lead to weight gain.
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