What tests are needed for obesity?

Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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Obesity is classified as a disease.

Obesity is a clinical syndrome characterized by a body mass index (BMI) exceeding normal levels. Generally, obesity with an unclear cause is called simple obesity, or primary obesity, while obesity with a known cause is called secondary obesity. In China, the standards for BMI are as follows: a normal BMI is below 24 kg/m². Being overweight is defined as having a BMI greater than 24 kg/m², mild obesity is greater than 26 kg/m², moderate obesity is greater than 28 kg/m², and severe obesity is greater than 30 kg/m². Therefore, obesity is a metabolic clinical syndrome.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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What is obesity?

Obesity is a common group of metabolic syndromes, which occurs when the caloric intake of a human body exceeds its caloric expenditure. The excess calories are then stored in the body in the form of fat. When this amount exceeds normal physiological needs and reaches a certain value, it evolves into obesity. There are many methods for assessing obesity, including anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound, CT, infrared sensing valves, and others. Obesity without a clear pathological cause is referred to as simple obesity, while obesity with a defined pathological cause is referred to as secondary obesity. The causes of obesity are of two types: one is primarily due to excessive diet and insufficient activity, where caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure; the other is obesity caused by disorders of fat metabolism.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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Causes of Obesity

In the medical field, obesity is categorized into two types: primary (simple) obesity and secondary obesity. Primary obesity occurs without any other physical diseases and is solely due to irregular lifestyle, unscientific eating habits, and lack of exercise, leading to weight gain. This type can be managed with lifestyle adjustments and proper dietary guidance to reduce weight. Secondary obesity, which is less common, often involves endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome. This condition can arise from issues with the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other parts of the body such as tumors, leading to excessive secretion of cortisol. This in turn causes redistribution of body fat, leading to characteristic signs like moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat which are manifestations of obesity. Additionally, conditions like hypothyroidism can lead to myxedema, contributing to obesity, as well as drug-induced obesity. Examples include patients with nephrotic syndrome or lupus who experience weight gain from prolonged use of corticosteroids. Therefore, the causes are diverse and require differential diagnosis by a specialist based on the individual's condition.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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What department do you see for obesity?

The preferred specialty is endocrinology and metabolism because obesity itself is a metabolic disease. Besides the commonly known simple obesity, there is also a type called secondary obesity. The distinction between the two is that in simple obesity, the body does not suffer from any other disease; weight gain is merely caused by unscientific diet, irregular lifestyle, and lack of exercise, which can be resolved through some scientific methods. Another type is called secondary obesity, such as a common disease in endocrinology called Cushing's syndrome. It is caused by a tumor or hyperplasia in the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other reasons that lead to an excessive secretion of cortisol in the blood, consequently causing a redistribution of body fat, leading to moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. Common in endocrinology, hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain. This requires endocrinology specialists to diagnose and identify the specific condition in order to provide appropriate treatment.