OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Question 1

Causes of obesity

Answer 1

Excess intake of calories
Lack of regular physical activity
Secondary causes

Question 2

Secondary causes of obesity

Answer 2

Hypothyroidism
Cushing’s syndrome

Question 3

BMI categorisations

Answer 3

18.5-24.9 kg/m2 - Ideal weight
25.0-29.9 kg/m2 - Overweight
30.0-34.9 kg/m2 - Obese
> 35.0 kg/m2 - Severely obese

Question 4

Abdominal girth categorization in females

Answer 4

< 80 cm or 32 inches Ideal abdominal girth
80 - 88 cm or 32-35 inches Overweight
> 88 cm or 35 inches Obese

Question 5

Abdominal girth categorization in males

Answer 5

< 94 cm or 37 inches Ideal abdominal girth
94 - 102 cm or 37 - 40 inches Overweight
> 102 cm or 40 inches Obese

Question 6

Investigations in obesity

Answer 6

Blood glucose
Blood lipid profile
Blood uric acid
ECG

Question 7

Treatment objectives in obesity

Answer 7

To ensure a loss of 10% of the initial body weight, within 6 months, at a rate of no more than 2-4 kg per month
To attain the ideal BMI and/or abdominal girth
To sustain the weight reduction achieved

Question 8

Non-pharmaacological interventions in obesity

Answer 8

Weight reduction diet
Regular physical activity comprising 30 minutes brisk walking, or equivalent activity, for a minimum of 3 days per week if there are no contraindications
Appropriate management of associated co-morbid disorders