Obesity

Definition

The obesity is defined by an excessive accumulation of fat mass due to an imbalance between the number of calories absorbed and energy expenditure. It is known as a chronic illness since 1997 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Unit of measure

The BMI (Body Mass Index) is a unit frequently used in Obesity surgery to measure the degree of obesity. 
It is obtained by dividing the weight (in Kg) by the square of the size of the individual (in m). For example, if you weigh 65 kilos and measure 1m65, your BMI would be 65 / (1.65)2 = 23,9kg/m2.

This method of evaluation is imprecise because it does not take into account the age of the patient, the sex, or the real muscle mass.  This said, the BMI is however an evaluation tool that is used during the check-up before any obesity surgery.

Calculate your BMI

Use the module below to find your body mass index (BMI):



Several degrees of obesity

Thanks to the numbers obtained by the BMI calculation, it is possible to define different types of obesity: moderate, server or morbid. 

  • Between 18,5 et 24,9:you are so-called “normal” corpulence
  • Between25 et 29,9: you are overweight
  • Between 30 et 34,9:you are obese
  • Between 35 et 39,9:you are so-called “severe” obesity
  • Over 40:you are so-called “morbid” obesity

Different causes of obesity

Several elements influence the occurrence of obesity.  It is a multifactorial illness.

  • Genetic factor:a lot of obese people have at least one parent in the same situation. A hereditary predisposition could then contribute to the onset of this disease
  • Metabolism:from one person to another, digestive system makes sure everyone absorbs food and converts it in different ways for example into heat or into fat
  • Bad food habits:an excess in calorie intake compared to the needs of the organism leads inevitably but differently, each person towards obesity.  The multiplication of diets too aggressive can participate in the onset and sustainability of obesity
  • Lack of physical exercise:a lifestyle too sedentary may participate in the adverse imbalance of dietary intakes
  • Environmental factor:the professional, family, social, and economic environment influence the lifestyle and thus contributes to the development of obesity
  • Psychology: psychological disorders are frequently linked to the imbalance of dietary imbalances

The obesity and its comorbidity factors

The comorbidity factors mean the presence of one or more disorders related to a primary disease, in this case obesity. Indeed, obesity is unfortunately accompanied by the development of other pathologies or socio-psychological disorders.

Obesity is liked to other illness such as:

  • Arterial hypertension
  • diabetes
  • sleep apnoea syndrome
  • Polyarthritis
  • Diverse forms of cancer

… but is also linked to social and psychological disorders:

  • Self-esteem problems
  • Eating disorders
  • Difficulty in facing the look of others