Obesity is considered a type of disease.

Written by Luo Juan

Endocrinology

Updated on February 10, 2025

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Obesity is an endocrine and metabolic disease, also known as obesity disorder, mainly caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat, leading to a chronic metabolic disease. It can result from various factors including genetic and environmental interactions, often characterized by excessive abdominal fat accumulation. Additionally, obesity is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, gallstones, osteoarthritis, and more. Therefore, obesity is classified as an endocrine and metabolic disease.

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Written by Chen Li Ping

Endocrinology

1min 18sec

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Will obesity be inherited?

The primary cause of simple obesity, where the reason for being overweight is unclear, is an energy intake that exceeds energy expenditure. There are also certain genetic factors involved. Generally, it is believed that susceptibility to obesity varies among human races, along with the presence of obesity genes and variations in genes related to obesity. Additionally, an individual’s metabolic type, appetite, digestive absorption functions, sleep quality, and metabolic efficiency form the basis for the development of simple obesity. Poor lifestyle habits, such as insufficient physical activity and excessive energy intake, are necessary conditions for its occurrence. Epidemiological surveys have shown that most people with simple obesity have a familial tendency towards the condition. Children born to obese parents are 5-8 times more likely to develop simple obesity than those born to parents who both have a normal weight. However, the majority of cases of simple obesity are not caused by obesity genes or mutations in genes related to obesity.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

48sec

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What should people with obesity not eat?

Patients with obesity generally also have elevated blood lipids, elevated blood uric acid, and slightly high blood sugar. Therefore, regarding diet, it is crucial to strictly adhere to a standard of low salt, low fat, and low purine. Avoid eating fried foods and animal offal, and do not consume carbohydrate-rich foods and sugary drinks. Additionally, for patients with high uric acid levels, it is advised not to consume excessive seafood and rich broths. It is recommended to avoid eating late-night meals, fried foods, and grilled items. The foods that should be avoided by patients with obesity are mainly determined based on the levels of blood sugar, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood uric acid.

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Written by Li Lang Bo

Endocrinology

1min 16sec

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What department do you see for obesity?

The preferred specialty is endocrinology and metabolism because obesity itself is a metabolic disease. Besides the commonly known simple obesity, there is also a type called secondary obesity. The distinction between the two is that in simple obesity, the body does not suffer from any other disease; weight gain is merely caused by unscientific diet, irregular lifestyle, and lack of exercise, which can be resolved through some scientific methods. Another type is called secondary obesity, such as a common disease in endocrinology called Cushing's syndrome. It is caused by a tumor or hyperplasia in the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other reasons that lead to an excessive secretion of cortisol in the blood, consequently causing a redistribution of body fat, leading to moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. Common in endocrinology, hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain. This requires endocrinology specialists to diagnose and identify the specific condition in order to provide appropriate treatment.

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Written by Li Lang Bo

Endocrinology

49sec

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Can people with obesity run?

The treatment of obesity mainly involves controlling diet and increasing exercise, which means "watch your mouth and move your legs." Therefore, running is definitely an option. However, for those who are severely obese, with a BMI over 30, excessive running might be too much for the knee joints to handle. For obese patients, brisk walking is primarily recommended. Another good form of exercise is swimming, which can protect the joints under the pressure of water while also burning calories. Therefore, people with obesity can run, but it depends on the situation and should not be rushed. For those who are severely obese, swimming is recommended as a way to help reduce weight.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

41sec

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What diseases are people with obesity prone to?

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. It results from the interaction of multiple factors, including genetics and environmental elements. Patients with obesity have a significantly increased incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, osteoarticular diseases, and certain tumors and cardiovascular diseases are closely related to obesity.