Obesity, with the definition of the World Health Organization, is stated as a condition of intense increase in the proportion of fat in the body at a level where health deteriorates. Hereditary and environmental factors can also be effective in the occurrence of obesity. Obesity, which is a clinical diagnosis, is diagnosed by specialist physicians and various tests are applied to individuals.
First of all, the individual's eating and exercise patterns, appetite control, medication or supplement intake are important. Then, physical controls are carried out by measuring height, weight, observing heart rhythm and routine blood tests. Calculating the body mass index and measuring the waist area are also added to the individual's history. An individual's medical history is an important value that affects the diagnosis and treatment of obesity. The individual's disease history, disorders and the diagnosis obtained at the end of the various examinations being evaluated make the treatment of obesity specific to the individual. Because obesity is not only a diagnosis proportional to weight. An individual's blood tests may show a value or a condition that is present in one person but not in the other, or an individual with the same weight may take a medication that will affect his/her treatment while the other person may not. All these detailed examinations, obesity diagnosis and treatment process is individualized. The fact that the treatment process is specific to the individual is a step taken to ensure a good outcome of the treatment. According to the data announced by the World Health Organization, the diagnosis of obesity can be determined as a result of various examinations. We can list them as follows;
Body Mass Index: Body mass ratio is used for screening and observation purposes since age and gender cannot be determined. When calculating the body mass index ratio, the body weight of the individual in kilograms is divided by the square of the length of the length in meters. For example; For a person weighing 99 kg and 1.75 m tall, the body mass index can be calculated as 99/(1.75*1.75) and come out as 32.4.
There are various classifications determined by the World Health Organization according to body mass ratio. In these classifications, the body mass index ratio can be evaluated in obesity screening. According to this classification, the ratio between 18-24 is normal; if the value is more than 30, the individual can be considered obese. Ratios above these numbers differ according to the classes of obesity.
Obesity in Children
Children's growth and development is monitored according to the percentile. The percentile, also called the growth curve , is the table used by the World Health Organization to determine the appropriate height and weight of children according to their age. The percentile ratios are determined as 3-10-25-50-75-90-95. Obesity in children is diagnosed by looking at the growth curve, not the body mass ratio of adults. Children above 85% growth curve are considered overweight, while children above the growth curve are considered obese.
Waist and Hip Ratio: Waist and hip ratio is very important in evaluating obesity. According to the studies, especially in the abdominal region, the type of adiposity called abdominal adiposity can cause a number of disorders due to the increase in fat mass in the internal organs. These are disorders such as insulin resistance, type II diabetes, hypertension.
Skinfold thickness: Skinfold thickness in certain parts of the body is measured with an instrument called a caliper. This provides information about body fat composition. Skinfold spacing of more than 38 mm in men and 52 mm in women is known as obesity, but it should not be considered as a diagnostic criterion alone.
Bioelectrical impedance measurement: The obesity test that has been widely used recently is known as bioelectrical impedance measurement. There is also a manual body analysis. With the help of hands and feet, the body is analyzed by applying electricity at very low voltages. When we look at the evaluation of the fat ratio in the body, the normal range of body fat level in women is 21-30%; in men it is 12-20%. Fat levels above these ranges invite obesity. These diagnostic criteria in obesity alone are not sufficient to make a diagnosis. For the diagnosis of obesity, a holistic approach to all obesity test classifications should be taken.
Types of Obesity
Some types can be mentioned for obesity. The types of obesity that occur according to fat distribution and body mass index can be listed as follows;
Obesity according to fat distribution: It is a form of classification characterized by regional examination of the excess fat in the body. Having excess fat in the abdomen is considered as apple-shaped obesity or male type obesity. Intense adiposity in the hips and thighs is referred to as pear-type obesity or female-type adiposity, which is generally seen in women. In the type known as mixed type obesity, there is no regional increase in the whole body and internal organs. Fat in the abdominal area, which is one of the types of regional adiposity, causes various discomforts as it causes fat in the internal organs in general.
Obesity according to Body Mass Index: According to the body mass index classification, values of 30 kg and above are indicated as obesity. While the body mass index of individuals who are considered to be moderately obese is known as 30 - 34.9 kg / m2, this ratio is 35 - 39.9 in severely obese individuals. In this classification, obesity negatively affects the quality of life and can be the cause of various disorders. In this type of obesity, which is classified as morbid obese and is very significant, the body mass index is 40 and above. Although there are health problems that are similar to other types of obesity, the quality of life can be significantly reduced.
Obesity is a type of disease with a high prevalence in the world. Obesity alone predisposes to many diseases and affects the standard of living. But despite all these conditions, obesity is treatable and curable. In fact, the effect area of the disorders caused by obesity can be reduced or completely cured with obesity treatment.