Obesity Flashcards
What is the definition of obesity?
A condition of abnormal or excessive fat in accumulation in adipose tissue to the extent that health is impaired
How is obesity defined clinically?
Use BMI:
Healthy weight = 18.5-24.9 Overweight = 25-29.9 Obesity I = 30-34.9 Obesity II = 35-39.9 Obesity III = >40
Why is the BMI not an accurate indicator of obesity?
BMI is affected by muscle mass - increased muscle mass can drive a high BMI (not to do with excessive fat)
How important are genes Vs environment to developing obesity?
Genes = 60-80% Environment = he doesn't mention
How do genes increase / decrease chances of developing obesity?
Genes affecting: Fat storage Weight at birth Hormone release etc.
Why are more people getting obese now than before (e.g. 80s)?
Environmental factors - too short period for genetic change, so must be environmental
What is an obesogenic environment?
Env. that makes you more likely to be obese e.g.
Food market - cheap, tasty food = high sugar / fat / salt content = very high calories (food is cheapest it has ever been in correspondence to minimum wage)
How do the following factors increase or decrease obesity rates?
Parks / playground proximity Screen time Car use Higher education achievement Poverty
Further away closest park / playground = higher obesity rate
Increased screen time = higher obesity rate
Increased use of cars > public transport / walking = higher obesity rates
Higher education achievement = lower obesity rates
Earning less = higher obesity rates
What are some other factors associated with obesity?
Ethnicity Mental health Alcoholism Smoking Occupation Food availability / neighbourhood Food intake Social media
How does nature (genes) interact with nuture (environment) to the development of obesity?
Genes = predisposition Env. = trigger
So even if you have genes that give you a predisposition to obesity, a non-obesogenic env = less likely to develop obesity
Predisposition + trigger = more likely to be obese
What co-morbidities is obesity associated with?
Depression - social media, judgmental society Stroke MI CVD Sleep apnoea Type II diabetes Hypertension Osteoarthritis (knee and hip replacements) Gout Bowel cancer Peripheral vascular disease
Why is there a link between obesity and mortality?
Due to the co-morbidities
How can obesity be treated?
- Determine degree of obesity - use BMI, look at muscle mass
- Examine lifestyle, co-morbidities, willingness to change lifestyle
- Lifestyle changes, drug treatment
- Refer to obesity clinics / specialist care
- Specialist assessment and management = more invasive interventions - e.g. surgery, etc.
What are some drugs that can help treat obesity?
e.g. orlistat - contains endogenous lipstatin
Inhibits gastric and pancreatic enzymes
Reduces dietary fat absorption in the gut from ingested food about 30%
What are some side effects of orlistat?
Not life-threatening, but uncomfortable Steatorrhoea - oily / fatty stools Possible deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins Oily spotting Faecal urgency
