TL;DR:
- Obesity prevalence: 2.2 billion are overweight; 0.7 billion are obese globally, with the U.S. and Egypt having the highest rates; Poland sees one in four affected.
- BMI scale:
- Overweight: BMI ≥25;
- Obesity starts at BMI ≥30 (Grade I: 30-34.99, Grade II: 35-39.99, Grade III: ≥40).
- Common causes: Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, hormonal imbalances, genetics, some medications, endocrine diseases like hypothyroidism.
- Effects: Increased risks for diabetes, hypertension, cancers, mental disorders, infertility, joint issues; mental health impacts include depression and low self-esteem.
- Treatment options:
- Lifestyle changes: Diet, exercise, help from nutritionists.
- Non-invasive: Procedures like cryolipolysis, HIFU, injection lipolysis.
- Surgical options: Gastric balloon, gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass.
- Bariatric benefits: Improved health, reduced disease symptoms (e.g., diabetes by 82-98%, hypertension by 69%).
- Future development: Potential obesity vaccine under research targeting appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin.
Obesity is a disease of civilization and the bane of our time. More than 2.2 billion people in the world struggle with excessive weight, and 0.7 billion are obese. This gives nearly 30% of the total population. The largest number of obese people is currently in the United States and Egypt. In Poland, this problem already affects one in four people, and increasingly children also have a problem with excessive weight. Where does obesity come from, what consequences can arise from it and how to fight it effectively? Learn the most relevant facts and find out what obesity treatment is all about.
When is overweight and when is obesity?
How do we know when our condition is overweight and obesity? Some sources say that in order to check it, it is enough to measure the waist circumference. If it is more than 88 cm in women (102 cm in men), it means obesity. However, this is a misconception. The figure, dimensions and proportionality of people with a height of 160 cm and those over 180 cm will be shaped differently. Therefore, the index derived from waist measurement is a wrong perception. A common, proven and used indicator of body mass status is Body Mass Index (BMI). It is obtained by dividing weight measured in kilograms by height given in meters squared. The resulting figure should then be adjusted to one of the following ranges:
- <16.0 – starvation,
- 16.0-16.99 – emaciation,
- 17.00-18.49 – underweight,
- 18.5-24.99 – normal weight,
- 25.00-29.99 – overweight,
- 30.00-34.99 – grade I obesity,
- 35.0-39.99 – grade II obesity (clinical obesity),
- ≥40 – grade III obesity (extreme obesity).
** In the case of a BMI of 25 and above, it is worth paying attention to the diet used and analyze the lifestyle pursued.** Otherwise, the index will grow, along with body weight, the risk of disease and a number of other psychological and even social consequences. Wanting to define the correctness of the weight, it is worth going to a nutritionist, who will professionally and with the help of the right equipment conduct an analysis of the amount of body fat. The test is painless and involves the use of bioimpedance. A very light current is passed through the body, which encounters various types of resistance. This makes it possible to take a detailed measurement of the amount of muscle and fat tissue, and to determine how much excess is in the body.
Causes of overweight and obesity
Underlying the tendency to weight itself is the intensity of this tendency in a person and genetic predisposition. About 75% of obese people have a parent who also struggled with excessive weight. Hormones and their excessive secretion are also responsible for the process of significant weight gain. It is mainly cortisol, insulin, galanin and neuropeptide Y that cause us to readily reach for sugars and fats. These, in turn, significantly affect the process of triglyceride deposition in fat cells. Weight gain is also promoted by certain endocrine diseases, such as hyperprolactinemia, Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome or various nervous system disorders, as well as the popular hypothyroidism. As a result, metabolism slows down. Even with a proper diet and physical activity, there is a great likelihood of extra pounds. The formation of obesity is also facilitated by taking anti-allergic drugs, (inhibiting the secretion of histamine), antidepressants, contraceptives and steroids. However, the most common reason for the appearance of excess pounds is a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet. This is usually immoderate portions, highly processed products, high in fat and simple sugars. Misaligned eating times, lack of regularity in eating and overeating before bedtime are also often at the root of excessive weight. Therefore, seeing that the weight begins to rise, the best solution will be to go to a nutritionist.
Effects of obesity – how do excessive pounds affect our body?
Overweight and obesity cause a number of consequences, both physical and psychological. Among the most serious and also the most common diseases that develop with obesity are diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gastroesophageal reflux, mental disorders, musculoskeletal ailments and infertility. Among people struggling with obesity, as many as 90% have type two diabetes. With weight gain comes insulin resistance, which is associated with impaired glucose tolerance. The most common symptoms, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, weakness, urinary tract infections untreated can lead to neuropathy, diabetic foot, blindness, stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Hypertension is nicknamed the "silent killer" for good reason. It develops essentially asymptomatically, often leading to chest pain, kidney failure and heart attack. Among the serious diseases to which obesity contributes are also cancers of the colon, bile ducts, kidneys, pancreas, esophagus, liver, endometrium, ovaries and breast. This is due to overweight and obesity causing chronic inflammation, which leads to damage to DNA structures. As a result, cancers appear. Returning food content from the stomach to the mouth, heartburn, swallowing disorders, pain in the chest area and epigastric region are all symptoms of reflux – a popular affliction in highly developed countries, especially in obese people. Excess weight also puts much more strain on bones and joints, which become much more prone to degeneration, sprains and fractures. And menstrual and ovulatory disorders associated with obesity lead to a much higher risk of miscarriage, problems with conception and complications during and immediately after childbirth. The mental state of obese people is no less important. They are more prone to all kinds of depressive disorders, decreased self-esteem and social withdrawal. Overweight and obese people are also often the object of derision from others, which often becomes the reason for "scrimping" on problems and worsening overweight. Obesity-related diseases also include gallstones, liver disease, kidney stones, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, gout and others. The fight against obesity and consistency in action very often result not only in the cessation of symptoms, but also in complete recovery from the above ailments.
Overweight and obesity – where to start?
**How to treat obesity ** It is certainly worth betting on a proven obesity treatment center that offers help with every aspect of treatment and every type of treatment. Whether the problem is obesity, overweight, a few excess pounds, a good decision will be to go to a specialist nutritionist, who will analyze in detail all aspects of nutrition, lifestyle, order basic tests and choose a perfectly tailored diet that will help deal with weight. It is important to remember that a nutritionist is not only a specialist who will help with overweight and obesity. He will also prescribe the ideal diet and indicate the rules for dealing with excessively low body weight, but also when the weight is normal and the patient is accompanied by fatigue, weakness and other factors that prevent normal functioning. In this type of symptoms, the problem often lies in an inadequate diet, lack of sufficient vitamins and minerals and nutrients.
Non-invasive treatments versus adipose tissue.
If you are struggling with a slight overweight, in addition to developing healthy eating habits and the care of a nutritionist, it is also worth betting on a number of aesthetic medicine treatments that, in a non-invasive manner using a variety of technological methods, allow you to get rid of excess body fat and support weight reduction processes. Among the most popular and recommended treatments for firming and fat reduction are procedures using sound waves, micro-needle radiofrequency, magnetic fields or ultrasound (the most effective option here is HIFU treatments). Injections (injection lipolysis) and freezing treatments (cryolipolysis) are also effective. On this occasion, it is worthwhile to take advantage of massage and cellulite reduction treatments at the same time. The choice of the right aesthetic medicine therapy will be advised by the doctor, analyzing the specific case and the results the patient would like to achieve.
Bariatric surgery – the fight against clinical obesity.
However, in order for the diet to be effective, consistency and strong willpower are needed, which is sometimes a task that is overwhelming for people who are plagued by overweight and obesity. There are also situations when the application of an appropriate diet and, in particular, the purchase of a series of aesthetic medicine treatments is impossible for financial reasons or the presence of contraindications to their use. Then bariatric surgery is the solution. Bariatric procedures are endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures designed to reduce the capacity of the stomach. Thus, they cause the amount of food consumed by the patient to be significantly reduced, so that he gradually loses weight. This type of surgery is dedicated to people with clinical and giant obesity.
Most bariatric procedures are performed under general anesthesia and within a one-day stay at the obesity treatment center. Afterwards, however, the patient remains under the constant care of a bariatric surgeon and psychologist. It is also important to strictly follow post-operative instructions, which affect the effectiveness of the surgery and the assimilation of new eating habits.
How to treat obesity? Types of bariatric surgery
The fight against obesity offered by the obesity treatment center is endoscopic gastric ballooning and laparoscopic procedures for the placement of a gastric band, Sleeve resection and Gastric by-pass. Specialists also perform revision surgeries, that is, surgeries performed after a previous procedure of a similar type or other bariatric surgery. Gastric ballooning is a non-invasive procedure that results in no violations of the body's shells and organs and thus no scarring. The procedure involves placing a special balloon inside the stomach using an endoscope, which is then filled with saline or air. In this way, the volume of the stomach is actually reduced, so that the patient is able to eat much smaller portions of food than before. This has the effect of reducing weight and making the patient feel satiety faster. A gastric band is a small silicone hoop worn over the upper part of the stomach. When tightened, a small reservoir is created above it, which restricts and impedes the passage of food further. This results in a reduction in food intake. The band is equipped with a special adjustable cuff so that the amount of flow can be changed. Sleeve resection, or sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing about 80% of the stomach in a way that leaves it in the shape of an approximately 11-millimeter tube. The resection is performed with special staplers, and the resected part of the organ is removed from the body. Hospitalization is usually about three days, after which the patient is discharged home. As a result of the resection, it is possible to eat a minimal amount of food and lose a significant amount of weight. Sleeve gastrectomy is an irreversible procedure. Gastric bypass, on the other hand, is the division of the stomach into two parts. The smaller one, with a capacity of 100-150 ml, is connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing the duodenum and a portion of the jejunum, which in turn, along with the cut off larger part of the stomach, are excluded from the gastrointestinal tract and connected to the small intestine at a further site. Patients who undergo Gastric bypass lose up to 70% of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery.
Bariatric treatment of obesity – when is it not possible?
Unfortunately, bariatric surgery, like other medical procedures, cannot be performed in several cases. Contraindications to performing this type of surgery include:
- incurable diseases that debilitate the body (such as active cancer),
- recent history of life-threatening diseases (e.g., stroke, heart attack),
- endocrine disorders and diseases that cause obesity,
- blood clotting disorders,
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, planning a pregnancy within a year of the procedure, childbirth within 2 years of the planned surgery date,
- addictions to drugs, alcohol, drugs and other intoxicating or psychoactive substances,
- mental illnesses,
- severe mental retardation,
- lack of informed consent of the patient to perform the surgery.
Among the contraindications are also factors that relatively preclude bariatric surgery. These are cases that are subject to change. These include:
- anticipated lack of cooperation in adhering to postoperative recommendations,
- lack of patient care and control,
- severe cardiopulmonary conditions,
- gastric and duodenal ulcers, active peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease,
- cirrhosis of the liver,
- anatomical anomalies of various origins in the gastrointestinal tract.
The final qualification of the patient for bariatric surgery is decided by the bariatric surgeon after obtaining a detailed medical history, analysis of the necessary tests and medical history, and the opinion of the bariatric surgeon, anesthesiologist and psychologist, and in some cases other specialists.
What do we gain by getting rid of obesity?
An effective and consistent fight against obesity results in a visible and spectacular result, which is weight loss. In connection with this fact, the patient regains a sense of well-being, a desire to act and participate in social life. Physical activity is increased, and the difficulties associated with the recent presence of extra pounds are reduced. All activities are performed more easily and quickly, and one can also return to former demanding activities. **With the shedding of excess weight, the health of patients is significantly improved ** Symptoms of diseases gradually disappear, and most of them can be successfully cured. Surgical treatment of obesity reduces:
- migraines by 57%,
- depressions by 47%,
- strokes by 96%,
- obstructive sleep apnea by 74-98%,
- asthma by 69%,
- high cholesterol by 63%,
- hypertension by 69%,
- gastroesophageal reflux disease by 72%,
- liver steatosis by 90%,
- metabolic syndrome by 80%,
- type two diabetes by 82-98%,
- stress urinary incontinence by 44%,
- excessive hairiness by 75%,
- menstrual disorders by 100%,
- degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases by 41%,
- gout by 72%,
- deep vein thrombosis by 95%.
Reducing obesity improves the overall quality of life in more than 95% of patients and gets rid of anxiety disorders and neurosis. It's also a source of pride and satisfaction to take on the challenge of such a big change and to fight for yourself and your health.
Vaccine
For those struggling with overweight and obesity and those burdened by a tendency to gain weight, the laboratories of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, have good news. Research is underway there on a vaccine that will protect against weight gain. The substances in it are supposed to inhibit levels of secreted ghrelin – a hormone that stimulates appetite and is involved in weight control and energy metabolism. At this stage of the study, the vaccine was administered to rats, resulting in as much as four times slower weight gain than in rats without the vaccine but fed the same. The remedy still awaits a number of studies and procedures to confirm its effect in humans. However, there is a chance that the product will be on the public market in just a few years.
Conclusion
Obesity is a global crisis, fueled by genetics, lifestyle, and poor dietary habits. It brings severe health risks, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, while also causing psychological challenges. Effective solutions range from nutritionist-designed diets and non-invasive medical treatments to bariatric surgeries for extreme cases. Addressing obesity requires commitment, expert guidance, and tailored approaches. By shedding excess weight, individuals can reclaim their health, reduce disease risks, and improve their quality of life. The fight against obesity isn’t easy, but the rewards—renewed energy, confidence, and longevity—make it worth every effort. Start now; your health depends on it.
