Obesity paradox

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Obesity Paradox

Obesity paradox (/oʊˈbiːsɪti pəˈrædɒks/), also known as the obesity-survival paradox, is a medical phenomenon where overweight and obese individuals appear to have a lower mortality rate, especially in cases of certain chronic diseases, compared to those with a normal or healthy weight.

Etymology

The term "Obesity paradox" was coined in the early 21st century. The word 'obesity' originates from the Latin obesus, meaning "that has eaten itself fat", while 'paradox' comes from the Greek paradoxos, meaning "contrary to expectations".

Definition

The Obesity paradox refers to the statistical observation that, contrary to the common understanding that obesity is universally harmful, overweight and obese individuals may have a survival advantage in certain health situations, such as heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. This phenomenon is still under investigation and is a subject of ongoing research.

Related Terms

  • Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure used to determine whether a person has a healthy body weight for a given height.
  • Metabolic Syndrome: A cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular Disease: A class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels.
  • Chronic Disease: A long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured.

Controversy

The Obesity paradox has been a subject of controversy and debate within the medical community. Some researchers argue that the paradox is a result of biases in studies, while others believe it may reveal unknown protective factors associated with obesity.

See Also

External links

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