Fisiopatología de la obesidad: Perspectiva actual

Abstract

INTRODUCCIÓNLa obesidad es una de las mayores problemáticas a la que se enfrenta la sociedad en el siglo XXI. Es tal su prevalencia que en el año 2004 se empieza a considerar como una "pandemia del siglo XXI", acuñándose el término "globesidad" en el año 2010 (aceptado por la WHO en 2011) ante la alarmante realidad que arrojan los datos y que no apuntan hacia una mejora de la situación a corto plazo 1,2 . Hasta el año 1997 la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) no empieza a considerar la obesidad una entidad patológica propia 3 , y hasta entrado el año 2013 no lo hace la Asociación Médica Americana (AMA) 4 . La OMS (1997) definió la obesidad como un acumulo excesivo de grasa que perjudica la salud 3 . Aquí se da el primer problema conceptual, ya que dicha definición no indica la cuantía del exceso de grasa, ni hubiera podido hacerlo, al ser una variable individual difícil de cuantificar. Cummings y Schwartz 5 introducen el concepto de carga genética y ambiental que acompaña a esta patología y la define, como una enfermedad oligogénica, cuya expresión puede ser modulada por numerosos genes modificadores que interaccionan entre sí y a su vez con factores ambientales.

Weight Status, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Physical Fitness in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The Active Health Study

“…In 2022, there will be more children and adolescents with obesity than those who are underweight [ 3 ]. This epidemic represents a significant threat to public healthcare (i.e., associated healthcare costs) and, after several decades of fighting it, one of the greatest public health challenges of the twenty-first century remains the struggle against the increase in obesity in this population [ 4 ], with the additional problem of maintaining increasing rate trends in the future [ 5 ].…”

Mediterranean Diet, Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Sevillian Adolescents: A Healthy Lifestyle

“…Physical activity and adequate nutrition are among the most determinant habits of a healthy lifestyle [3]. Physical activity, practiced regularly, has significant benefits for health in children and adolescents [4,5,6].…”

Evaluation of Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Adolescents from Estonia: The AdolesHealth Study

“…Its high prevalence worldwide (5.6% in girls and 7.8% in boys) is associated with potentially severe complications and requires a multidisciplinary approach due to its high clinical impact and healthcare costs [4]. Despite decades of struggle against this epidemic, which represents an important threat to public healthcare, the huge increase of obesity in childhood and adolescence is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century [5], with the added problem of an unpromising future due to trends of growing rates [6,7].…”

“…The assessment and monitoring of health risks at these age stages are essential for the provision of resources and the planning of health services and preventive interventions [8], allowing the identification of the population groups and regions where the need may be greater [5]. Furthermore, these periods of life are very important due to the establishment of life habits and the large number of psychological and physiological changes that take place [9].…”