Obesity

Definition: Obesity is a condition having body weight of an individual 20% or more above the standard weight for people of the same age, sex and race.

Causes:

1.      Genetic cause

a.      Mutation of leptin gene or leptin receptor gene

b.      Leptin is the hormone secreted by adipose tissue and leptin suppresses the appetite center.

2.      Environmental cause

a.      Prenatal over nutrition

b.      High energy diet and over eating

3.      Lack of physical activity

4.      Endocrine cause

a.      Thyroid disorder

b.      Cushing’s syndrome

c.       Growth hormome deficiency

5.      Drugs

a.      Steroid

b.      Anticonvulsant

c.       Antidepressant

d.      Antipsychotics

Hazards of obesity:

1.      Cardiovascular complication

a.      HTN, IHD, stroke, MI

2.      Endocrine complications

a.      Insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus,

b.      Hypothyroidism

c.       Menstrual disturbance, infertility.

3.      Pulmonary complication

a.      Dyspnea, breathlessness, asthma

b.      Obstructive sleep apnea

c.       Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

4.      Musculoskeletal complication

a.      Osteoarthritis, gout, back pain

5.      Hepatobiliary complication

a.      Fatty liver, cirrhosis of liver, cholecystitis, gall stone.  

6.      Obstetrical complications

a.      Preclamsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus

7.      Malignancy

8.      Metabolic complications

a.      Dyslipidemia

b.      Coagulopathy

c.       Thromboembolism

9.      Psychosocial complication: depression.