Obesity as a disease: no lightweight matter

Abstract

The epidemic rise in obesity has fuelled the current debate over its classification as a disease. Contrary to just being a medical condition or risk factor for other diseases, obesity is a complex disease of multifaceted aetiology, with its own disabling capacities, pathophysiologies and comorbidities. It meets the medical definition of disease in that it is a physiological dysfunction of the human organism with environmental, genetic and endocrinological aetiologies. It is a response to environmental stimuli, genetic predisposition and abnormalities, and has a characteristic set of signs and symptoms with consistent anatomical alterations. Excess adipose tissue increases the work of the heart and leads to anatomical changes in this organ. It alters pulmonary, endocrine and immunological functions, all with adverse effects on health. Some of the complications of obesity include cardiovascular disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and cancer. Given the excess mortality, substantial morbidity and the economic toll of obesity, this is a disease that warrants serious attention by the medical community. Obesity's status and acceptance as a disease is pivotal in determining its treatment, reimbursement for treatment and the development of widespread interventions.

Hospital admissions associated with body mass index in Canadian adults

“…Obesity itself is a complex disorder of endocrinological, genetic and environmental aetiology. Excess adipose tissue increases the work of the heart, alters pulmonary, endocrine and immunological functions, 43 and may result directly in obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis as well as psychosocial dysfunction. 44 Enlarged fat cells increase secretion of inflammatory and coagulation molecules, and may cause increased risks of diabetes, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, liver disease, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, certain types of cancers.…”

The Effect of Orlistat, Green Coffee Bean Extract, and Its Combinations on Lipid Profi le and Adiponectin Levels

“…Jumlah ini akan terus meningkat (McCormick et al, 2007) dan akan menambah beban kesehatan dan ekonomi terutama di negara berkembang (Popkin, Adair, & Ng, 2012). Obesitas diartikan sebagai sebuah penyakit yang disebabkan oleh ketidakseimbangan energi akibat dari asupan kalori yang melebihi kebutuhan tubuh (Conway & Rene, 2004). Ketidakseimbangan ini mengakibatkan akumulasi lemak tubuh (Ouchi et al, 2012).…”

“…O b e s i t a s d i s e b a b k a n o l e h ketidakseimbangan energi akibat asupan kalori berlebih dan penggunaan yang minim sehingga mengakibatkan akumulasi lemak tubuh (Conway & Rene, 2004;Ouchi et al, 2012). Akumulasi lemak ini berkaitan dengan gangguan pada regulasi neruoendokrin dan metabolisme.…”

High Body Mass Has No Effect on Cellular and Innate Immunity in Siberian Hamsters (<i>Phodopus sungorus</i>)

“…Obesity becomes more and more prevalent and it is associated with several chronic diseases [1][2][3][4][5]. It is also considered to be related with increased susceptibility to infections [6,7].…”