Definition: Obesity or overweight

Obesity is a recognised disease that can cause real physiological or psychological health problems.

There is a lot of talk about obesity, but do we really know what it is?

Obesity: Obesity is an excess of body fat, resulting from an imbalance between daily calorie intake and energy expenditure: the body receives more than it expends and therefore 'stores' some of the surplus.

However, things are not that simple. Many factors can reinforce this imbalance and promote obesity or at least weight gain:

• Heredity;

• Food culture;

• Sedentary lifestyle;

• Quitting smoking.

Hormonal phenomena (particularly in young people and women). Today, obesity is defined based on factors such as Body Mass Index. Other simple indicators, such as waist circumference, can also be used to assess weight.

Calculating your ideal weight

Using a very simple calculation, you can determine your level of obesity risk.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Defined by the World Health Organisation, BMI relates two simple variables: weight and height, according to the following formula:

BMI = Weight / (Height)² 2 = squared

I calculate my BMI:

My height (cm): 1.68 height squared 2.8224

My weight (kg): 75 My BMI: 75 : 2.8224 = 26.5731

I evaluate the results: slightly overweight

Please note! The BMI calculation is valid for adults between the ages of 16 and 70. Other methods are available for children and elderly people.

Waist measurement

This measurement can be used to detect abdominal obesity. You can easily monitor yourself using a tape measure:

Ifyou are a man:

If your waist circumference is greater than 100 cm, you should consult your doctor.

Ifyou are a woman:

If your waist circumference is greater than 90 cm, you should consult your doctor. We would like to emphasise that if you have any doubts, either about yourself or a loved one, it is important to leave any decisions, particularly those concerning diet, to your doctor.

Adapt your response to your situation

There may be no need to rush to your doctor. Simply "getting back on track" may be enough!

1 - You are neither obese nor overweight Even if you are within your ideal weight range, monitor yourself regularly. A slip-up can always happen...

Without becoming obsessed, you need to remain vigilant throughout your life! Obesity - ideal weight

2 - You are overweight

Today's society is very focused on the ideal weight syndrome. This can lead to the opposite of the desired effect, and from extreme thinness to obesity. Nevertheless, regular weight measurement allows you to track variations in either direction.

Temporary weight gain is not necessarily a sign of incipient obesity, but may simply be a reminder to start exercising again or watch what you eat.

3 - You are in the obese range

It is very important to

to detect any medical complications,

to discuss with your GP a comprehensive medical treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Obesity is a disease that tends to worsen spontaneously.

The medical risk is unevenly distributed among obese individuals (linked to genetic profiles). Some super-obese individuals have few or only mild complications.

Conversely, certain conditions appear in patients who are only ten or so kilograms overweight.

In general, three risk factors are systematically investigated:

• percentage of excess weight;

• gender;

• and the distribution of fat mass (gynoid or android).

In all cases, obesity remains a disease that increases medical risks.

Different types of complications

Physiological complications

Obesity complications - Cardiovascular complications

Obesity complication - Respiratory complications

Obesity complication - Hepatobiliary complications

Obesity complications - Reproductive function complications

Obesity complication - Osteoarticular complications

Complications of obesity - Other medical complications

Psychosocial complications