Pathophysiology of obesity

Pathophysiology of Obesity

The Pathophysiology of Obesity refers to the scientific study of the functional changes that accompany or result from obesity, a medical condition characterized by an excess of body fat. Obesity is associated with a number of health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and sleep apnea.

Causes

Obesity is primarily caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. A few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications, or mental disorder. The view that obesity is a disorder of the distribution of stored energy is supported by the fact that the BMI (Body Mass Index) is strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcomes.

Health Risks

Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications, or mental disorder.

Treatment

Treatment of obesity primarily involves lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. In some cases, medications or surgery may be recommended.

See Also

• Obesity
• Pathophysiology
• Body Mass Index
• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes

References

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External Links

• World Health Organization: Obesity and Overweight

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