Many people think that the definition of obesity has to do only with their BMI, but the studies show that it is not so
Obesity is a chronic disease that can have different consequences for a person’s life and affects a huge amount of individuals. According to the data presented at the International Congress for Obesity (ICO) last year, almost half of adult Brazilians (48%) suffer from this condition and 27% overweight by 2044.
This number is very important as obesity can bring problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. So, it is no wonder that this condition is more and more studied. And with this, changes are born in the way in which it is seen in the world of medicine.
Obesity = BMI?
Basically, obesity is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), characterized by an excess of body fat at levels that can compromise health. And this is currently analyzed by the BMI (body mass index), which is calculated by dividing the weight of a person (in the pound) by his height (in meters at the square).
If this index is the same or greater than 40, the person is within obesity. However, recently, the scientific newspaper The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has published a study that proposes the redefinition of the criteria for the diagnosis of obesity. According to the authors, to define the disease, it is necessary to analyze other aspects other than IMC (body mass index).
These aspects include the distribution of fats, the measurement of life, the life relationship and the hip, the height relationship with the circumference of life and health problems related to the weight. For Alessandra Rascovski, endocrinologist and clinical director of Atma Soma, the interrogation made by the dependence on the IMC on obesity is pertinent.
“This new approach underlines the most personalized cure, focused on health as a whole and not only on the number that the balance shows. This is a great evolution in terms of evaluation, since we know that there are more than 200 conditions relating to obesity,” he explains.
Clinical obesity and preclinical obesity
The study still proposes a clear distinction between clinical obesity and preclinical obesity. He underlines that they are different conditions in terms of gravity and the need for an intervention.
Clinical obesity is a chronic disease that causes organ dysfunction and represents a more serious threat to life. It requires greater interventionist treatment, which may include drugs, surgery or other intensive care. Preclinical obesity has greater body fat or a high weight, but with a low tendency to significantly influence organs.
“In this case, it is a pre-disaster, not the disease itself,” comments the expert.
Another point underlines Alessandra concerns the relevance of the understanding of where the accumulation of fat is verified in the body and if the weight gain is having effects on health. “A person who has a short neck, is not fat, but gets five kilos and begins to have night apnea. And another, obese, with BMI 40, has no symptoms of clinical diseases deriving from the condition. These are very particular situations that require a wider appearance,” he says.
The study listed 18 indications that report when obesity becomes a disease in adults. These are some of them: loss of vision, head diseases, night apnea, lack of breath, heart failure, fatigue, swelling in the legs and rhythm of the irregular heart.
Concerns about the study
Despite supporting the idea that obesity is not summarized to the IMC, the endocrinologist underlines the concerns for the suggestion that obesity must not be strictly treated in preclinical phases, when there are still no associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
He underlines that adiposopathy (fat disease) is a relevant causal factor for the development of chronic conditions. Treating obesity soon can have a preventive character.
“In addition, the new classification, which proposes 18 criteria for diagnosis, can have some limitations on not considering aspects such as the patient’s past history and its perception of the impact of weight on well -being,” he says.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
