Obesity is classified as what type of disease?

Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

Updated on September 14, 2024

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Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Patients with this type of obesity often have excessive abdominal fat accumulation. Moreover, obesity is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, gallstones, osteoarticular disease, certain cancers, and various cardiovascular diseases.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

57sec

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Is it difficult for people with obesity to get pregnant?

Patients with obesity, especially women with excessive abdominal fat, often experience disrupted hormonal balance due to altered levels of circulating sex hormones. This frequently leads to ovulatory abnormalities and excess androgens, often accompanied by reproductive dysfunction. As a result, such conditions manifest as difficulty in conceiving, and are commonly associated with menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and infertility. Some patients may also develop polycystic ovary syndrome. Even in pregnant obese women, the risks of diabetes and hypertension increase, as do the risks of complications during childbirth and congenital abnormalities in their infants. Therefore, it is crucial for women of childbearing age to maintain a normal weight.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 29sec

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Obesity is formed in what way?

Obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by an excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal fat distribution. The exact causes of obesity are not clear, but it is generally believed to be the result of the interaction of multiple factors including environmental and genetic factors. In terms of environmental factors, there is a tendency for obesity to cluster in families; individuals with one or both parents who are obese have a significantly increased likelihood of being obese themselves. The second factor is environmental influences. Consuming more calories than are expended is the primary cause of obesity. Additionally, sedentary lifestyles, lack of physical exercise, and insufficient physical activity all contribute to reduced energy expenditure, leading to obesity. Poor dietary habits, such as eating large portions, a preference for sweets, or oily foods, also increase calorie intake and contribute to the occurrence of obesity. Furthermore, genetic mutations can also lead to obesity. Another viewpoint suggests that childhood obesity can increase the incidence of adult obesity, with people who were obese after the age of six having a more than 50% chance of being obese in adulthood.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

46sec

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Can people with obesity eat pork?

Patients with obesity are advised to primarily consume lean pork, as it generally contains more protein. If the pork is fatty, it has a higher fat content. Since obesity is a disease of nutritional excess, it is necessary to strictly control the total calorie intake, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats — particularly the intake of carbohydrates and fats, which are strictly limited. However, patients with obesity can eat lean pork, as it contains high-quality protein which is beneficial for their physical health. Thus, people with obesity can eat pork, but they should focus on consuming lean cuts.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 33sec

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Obesity weight loss methods

The treatment of obesity involves two main components. One is reducing calorie intake and the other is increasing calorie consumption, mainly emphasizing a comprehensive treatment based primarily on diet and exercise. Secondly, medications or surgical treatments can be utilized. In the case of secondary obesity, it is important to treat the underlying cause. So, what is behavioral therapy? It involves educating patients and their families about obesity and its risks, enabling them to cooperate with the treatment, adopt a healthy lifestyle, change dietary and exercise habits, and maintain these changes consciently in the long term as the foremost and most important measures in the treatment of obesity. Thirdly, controlling diet and increasing physical activity are crucial. Individuals with mild obesity can control their total food intake with a low-calorie, low-fat diet. For those with moderate to severe obesity, total calorie intake should be strictly controlled, with women limited to 1200-1500 kcal per day and men to 1500-1800 kcal per day. Following this standard, a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week can be achieved. Furthermore, for severe obesity, medications can be used to reduce weight, which can then be maintained. If necessary, surgical procedures such as jejunoileal bypass or biliopancreatic diversion surgery can be considered.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

51sec

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Causes of Obesity

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of fat in the body. It results from the interaction of multiple factors including genetic and environmental factors that cause fat accumulation. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly caused by poor dietary habits, such as excessive food intake, particularly excessive fats, and a sedentary lifestyle. There is also secondary obesity, which is generally caused by diseases of the endocrine system. Hormonal treatments for allergic diseases and rheumatic diseases can also lead to secondary obesity.