The causes of obesity

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on December 17, 2024
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Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary obesity according to its causes. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type among various forms of obesity. It is mainly caused by poor dietary habits such as overeating, especially excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, rather than being secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity, on the other hand, is often due to diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, hypercortisolism, hypofunction of the thyroid or gonads, insulinomas, and other diseases. Secondary obesity is mainly due to diseases, and it can show some symptoms of the underlying disease.

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Obesity can cause which diseases

Firstly, obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Diseases closely related to obesity include cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Complications of obesity also include sleep apnea syndrome, venous thrombosis, and others. Moreover, the occurrence of malignant tumors increases with obesity, as prolonged obesity can lead to skin folds that are prone to abrasions and subsequent fungal or purulent infections.

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What are the dietary restrictions for obesity?

If it's obesity, it means a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28. In terms of dietary restrictions for obesity, the general principles are low salt and low fat. First and foremost, intake of fats should be limited, including both the cooking oils and foods consumed. Preference should be given to vegetable oils, and consumption of animal fats should be minimized. Even with vegetable oils, there is a limit to how much should be used, as excessive amounts can also exceed health standards. Furthermore, one should eat less fast food and junk food, such as various fried foods or those containing excessive seasonings, and these foods should be consumed minimally. There are also "invisible" fats to consider, such as those found in nut snacks and various small packaged snacks like peanuts and fried beans, which are very high in calories and should be consumed less. Additionally, sugary drinks like iced tea and pear syrup drinks should be avoided. The overall principle is a low-calorie diet, avoiding high-calorie foods.

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What department should obesity be treated in?

Obesity should be considered based on the specific situation. If the patient has uniform obesity, meaning that the limbs and torso are equally fat, then they should visit the nutrition department for guidance on dietary control, diet adjustments, and increased exercise. However, if the patient's obesity appears different, for example, if they have a very thick back, a larger belly, a red face, and acne, then I suggest they consult the endocrinology department because it might be related to Cushing's syndrome, which involves centripetal obesity.

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What tests are needed for obesity?

Obesity is divided into simple obesity and secondary obesity. Simple obesity refers simply to being overweight without any other primary diseases. Secondary obesity requires examination of certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, which can lead to obesity, thus necessitating thyroid function tests; or Cushing's syndrome, which involves increased body weight due to excessive corticosteroid hormones produced by various causes, necessitating an examination of the cortisol rhythm and sometimes a dexamethasone suppression test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary, and CT scan of the adrenal glands; also conditions such as depression or psychiatric illnesses that can lead to weight gain, requiring corresponding psychiatric scales, among others. In addition to these tests, it is also necessary to consider the patient's clinical symptoms and then conduct targeted examinations based on these symptoms.

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Can obesity be treated?

Obesity is treatable. Generally, the treatment of obesity mainly includes several aspects: First, dietary intervention; second, increased physical activity; third, correcting bad behavioral habits; some cases may require medication and surgery. Dietary treatment mainly involves reducing calorie intake and recommending a low-sugar diet. Physical exercise generally requires three to five days of activity per week, with 30-40 minutes each day being appropriate. It also includes correcting some poor dietary habits and enhancing self-monitoring, including records of food intake and daily physical activity. Medication treatment is an option for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher who also have obesity-related comorbidities. This treatment can be combined with exercise and dietary behavioral corrections. Furthermore, for those with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI between 35-39.9 with one or more severe obesity-related complications such as hypertension, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea, surgical treatment may be considered.