Overview and causes of obesity
BMI and weight status
- less than 18.5: underweight,
- 18.5 - 24.9: normal,
- 25 - 29.9: overweight,
- more than 30: obese,
- more than 40: morbidly obese.
Late onset / adult obesity
- Lack of physical activity,
- Insufficient sleep or bad sleeping habits,
- Excessive eating / bad diet,
- Social status influence (difficulty / inability to make healthier food choices),
- Illnesses (Cushing’s),
- Medication (antidepressants),
- Genetics.
Early onset obesity / childhood causes:
- Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS): child presents with uncontrolled hunger, early onset obesity, kidney, and vision impairment, having more toes or fingers.
- Pro-opiomelanocortin deficiency (POMC): onset of uncontrolled hunger in the infancy stage, hormonal dysregulation, and obesity.
- Leptin receptor deficiency (LEPR): lower level of sex hormone production (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism), severe early obesity, and uncontrolled hunger.
Signs and symptoms associated with obesity
Obesity symptoms in adults
- Shortness of breath,
- Trouble sleeping, snoring,
- Excess fat in the abdominal area,
- Fatigue even when rested,
- Joint pain,
- Psychological issues (depression, isolation, and lower self-esteem).
Obesity symptoms in childhood
- Low tolerance to physical activity and shortness of breath,
- Stretch marks are usually on the back and on the hips,
- Fat tissue accumulation in the breast area,
- Sleep apnea,
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease,
- Darkened skin changes in body folds, usually around the neck, armpit and groin area,
- Orthopedic complications (i.e., flat feet),
- Delayed puberty in males,
- Early puberty in females.
Complications associated with obesity
- Obesity-induced asthma,
- Hypertension and/or heart disease,
- Increased cholesterol levels could lead to cardiovascular complications such as heart attack or stroke,
- Poor renal function due to chronic hypertension,
- Diabetes type 2 development,
- Development of certain types of cancer,
- Hiatal hernia,
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease,
- Sleep apnea,
- Osteoarthritis develops due to excess weight on bones and joints,
- Gallstone disease.
