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Obesity
What department should I go to for obesity?
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that belongs to the field of endocrinology, so the first choice for early-stage obesity is to see an endocrinologist. Some hospitals also have specialized weight management departments, which are also an option for consultation. When obesity is accompanied by other serious comorbid conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure, in addition to seeing an endocrinologist, it is also necessary to visit the cardiology department. If there is concomitant osteoarthritis, a visit to the orthopedics department is needed. Women suffering from menstrual irregularities or infertility should consult with a gynecologist. In summary, obesity is a disease that can cause multiple metabolic abnormalities and damage multiple systems, requiring early prevention and treatment.
Is it difficult for people with obesity to get pregnant?
Patients with obesity, especially women with excessive abdominal fat, often experience disrupted hormonal balance due to altered levels of circulating sex hormones. This frequently leads to ovulatory abnormalities and excess androgens, often accompanied by reproductive dysfunction. As a result, such conditions manifest as difficulty in conceiving, and are commonly associated with menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and infertility. Some patients may also develop polycystic ovary syndrome. Even in pregnant obese women, the risks of diabetes and hypertension increase, as do the risks of complications during childbirth and congenital abnormalities in their infants. Therefore, it is crucial for women of childbearing age to maintain a normal weight.
What tests are needed for obesity?
Obesity is divided into simple obesity and secondary obesity. Simple obesity refers simply to being overweight without any other primary diseases. Secondary obesity requires examination of certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, which can lead to obesity, thus necessitating thyroid function tests; or Cushing's syndrome, which involves increased body weight due to excessive corticosteroid hormones produced by various causes, necessitating an examination of the cortisol rhythm and sometimes a dexamethasone suppression test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary, and CT scan of the adrenal glands; also conditions such as depression or psychiatric illnesses that can lead to weight gain, requiring corresponding psychiatric scales, among others. In addition to these tests, it is also necessary to consider the patient's clinical symptoms and then conduct targeted examinations based on these symptoms.
Can obesity be treated?
Obesity is treatable. Generally, the treatment of obesity mainly includes several aspects: First, dietary intervention; second, increased physical activity; third, correcting bad behavioral habits; some cases may require medication and surgery. Dietary treatment mainly involves reducing calorie intake and recommending a low-sugar diet. Physical exercise generally requires three to five days of activity per week, with 30-40 minutes each day being appropriate. It also includes correcting some poor dietary habits and enhancing self-monitoring, including records of food intake and daily physical activity. Medication treatment is an option for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher who also have obesity-related comorbidities. This treatment can be combined with exercise and dietary behavioral corrections. Furthermore, for those with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI between 35-39.9 with one or more severe obesity-related complications such as hypertension, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea, surgical treatment may be considered.
What are the dietary restrictions for obesity?
If it's obesity, it means a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28. In terms of dietary restrictions for obesity, the general principles are low salt and low fat. First and foremost, intake of fats should be limited, including both the cooking oils and foods consumed. Preference should be given to vegetable oils, and consumption of animal fats should be minimized. Even with vegetable oils, there is a limit to how much should be used, as excessive amounts can also exceed health standards. Furthermore, one should eat less fast food and junk food, such as various fried foods or those containing excessive seasonings, and these foods should be consumed minimally. There are also "invisible" fats to consider, such as those found in nut snacks and various small packaged snacks like peanuts and fried beans, which are very high in calories and should be consumed less. Additionally, sugary drinks like iced tea and pear syrup drinks should be avoided. The overall principle is a low-calorie diet, avoiding high-calorie foods.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of fat in the body. It results from the interaction of multiple factors including genetic and environmental factors that cause fat accumulation. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly caused by poor dietary habits, such as excessive food intake, particularly excessive fats, and a sedentary lifestyle. There is also secondary obesity, which is generally caused by diseases of the endocrine system. Hormonal treatments for allergic diseases and rheumatic diseases can also lead to secondary obesity.
Can obesity be contagious?
No. Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary types according to its cause. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly due to poor dietary habits, such as overeating, particularly excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, and is not secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity is caused by diseases such as hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, hypercortisolism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and insulinoma. Therefore, the causes of obesity are not infectious factors, so obesity is not contagious. However, lifestyles can influence each other; being around people with poor lifestyles for a prolonged period can also lead to adopting poor lifestyle habits and potentially result in obesity.
What should people with obesity eat?
Patients with obesity, due to excessive caloric intake, experience accumulation of fat in the body, leading to overweight. Obesity can cause many dangers, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, etc., so it is important to control your diet. The correct way for diabetic patients to eat is to avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods, such as fat-rich animal products and animal viscera, avoid high-calorie sugary drinks and high-sugar fruits, and try to eat low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables.
Can people with obesity exercise?
Obesity is a metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal distribution, commonly referred to as obesity, with body weight exceeding the standard. Obesity can be due to excessive intake and insufficient exercise; thus, not only can obese individuals exercise, but they also need to persist in it. However, during exercise, it is important to consider special circumstances. The amount and method of exercise vary from person to person, and it is necessary to develop individualized exercise plans and choose exercises or programs that are easy to maintain while progressively advancing. However, when designing exercise treatment plans, it is crucial to consider the impact of complications, especially for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal comorbidities, and choose suitable forms of exercise. Generally, it is recommended to exercise three to five days per week, with 30 to 45 minutes of appropriate activity each day. Patients with these complications should avoid intense exercises and can start with mild activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and strolling, or consult with rehabilitation specialists to develop appropriate individualized exercise plans.
Which department does obesity belong to?
Obesity is defined by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI), where one's weight in kilograms is divided by their height in meters squared to obtain a numeric value. If the BMI is 28 or higher, it is defined as obesity. There are two types of obesity based on BMI excess: simple obesity and secondary obesity. Simple obesity occurs without any other internal medical conditions, purely due to weight gain. Secondary obesity may be due to other psychosomatic diseases that lead to an increase in BMI. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the endocrinology department for physical examinations and laboratory tests to determine whether the obesity is simple or secondary. Hence, a consultation in the endocrinology department is advised.