Obesity as a Recognized Medical Condition

Yes, obesity is a recognized medical condition according to the sources. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges that obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) is a worldwide problem that also affects many developing countries. In developed countries, more than half of the adult population are overweight or obese. In the UK, 1 in 5 pregnant women are obese. Childhood obesity is also a significant concern, with one-in-four (25%) Australian 2–17 year olds being overweight or obese.

The sources detail various aspects of obesity as a medical condition:

• Definition and Assessment: Obesity implies an excess storage of fat. It can be detected by looking at the undressed patient, comparing weight with ideal weight for height, calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI), and measuring waist circumference as a marker of central adiposity. The WHO classification uses BMI ranges to categorize degrees of overweight and associated risk of co-morbidities. In children, overweight is defined as a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile, and obesity is a BMI above the 95th percentile for age and gender.
• Pathophysiology: The recent increase in obesity is predominantly due to changes in lifestyle (environmental factors), although genetic factors also play a role. Hundreds of genes correlate with the presence of obesity. Food intake, home environment, exercise levels, and psychological factors influence weight.
• Complications: Obesity is associated with numerous morbidity and mortality risks, including early death mainly from diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Other associated conditions and complications include hypertension, breathlessness, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, menstrual abnormalities, increased cancer risk, heart failure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis, varicose veins, hiatus hernia, gallstones, postoperative complications, low back pain, and obstructive sleep apnoea. In pregnancy, obesity carries a greater risk of maternal death, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, thromboembolism, and fetal risks such as miscarriage and macrosomia. In children, obesity-related complications previously seen in adults are now being diagnosed, including dyslipidaemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Management and Prevention: Management involves aggressive lifestyle modification focused on weight reduction, increased exercise, and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Lifestyle changes, including reducing sedentary time and encouraging healthy eating, are first-line therapy and crucial for prevention. Dietary advice includes reducing alcohol, non-diet carbonated soft drinks, total calorie and cholesterol intake, and purine-rich foods for conditions like gout. Pharmacological interventions like orlistat and GLP-1 receptor agonists may be used in some cases. Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for severe obesity and can lead to significant weight loss and diabetes remission. Prevention of obesity, especially in children, through public health campaigns and addressing dietary factors is crucial.

Impact on other conditions: Obesity can affect the outcome of other medical conditions, such as acute pancreatitis. It is also a component of the metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of atherosclerotic disease and type 2 diabetes.