Obesity or not: how to distinguish between fullness and get rid of excess weight
Moderate fatness may be a feature of the body, whereas obesity is already a medical diagnosis associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and other diseases. The main guideline for distinguishing is not the subjective feeling of "like/dislike the reflection in the mirror", but the indicators of body mass index, waist circumference and the presence of concomitant health problems. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
What is overweight and obesity?
Completeness more often describes appearance and the subjective feeling of "I am full" without necessarily violating health. Obesity is defined as excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, which worsens well-being and increases the risk of chronic diseases. Doctors emphasize that aesthetic dissatisfaction with a figure does not mean that a person needs treatment, unlike in cases where excess weight is confirmed by medical criteria and accompanied by symptoms.
Subjective fullness is often associated with fashion and social pressure. A person can have normal medical indicators, but consider himself "too big" against the background of the imposed ideal of thinness. At the same time, many who really suffer from first-degree obesity perceive the condition as "slightly better" for a long time, missing time for a gentle and effective correction.
Body mass index: the main guideline
The main tool doctors use to distinguish between overweight and obesity is body mass index (BMI). It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The resulting number is compared with the ranges of norm and pathology: in adults, the indicator from 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, 25-29.9 indicates overweight, and 30 and above indicates obesity.
International and Russian guidelines use a similar gradation of degrees of obesity. BMI values of 30-34.9 refer to obesity of the first degree, 35-39.9 — to the second degree, and 40 and above — to severe obesity of the third or fourth degree, when the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and other complications increases significantly. It is important for doctors not only to make a diagnosis based on the number, but also to assess the general condition of the body: blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels, the condition of the joints and respiratory system.
Waist circumference and fat type
BMI does not show exactly where fat is deposited in the body, and this largely determines the health risks. For clarification, the measurement of the waist circumference and the calculation of its ratio to the hip circumference are used. It is believed that abdominal, or central, type of obesity — when fat accumulates mainly in the abdominal area — is more dangerous than peripheral, in which excess weight is distributed over the hips and buttocks.
Doctors identify thresholds for waist circumference, which significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. For adult women, values from about 80-88 cm and above are often called critical, for men — from 94-102 cm and above, while BMI and related factors must be taken into account. If a person has a relatively moderate fullness, but at the same time a pronounced "belly" and a high BMI, then we are more often talking about initial obesity, rather than an aesthetic problem.
Medical signs of dangerous excess weight
Distinguishing between overweight and obesity is important primarily because of the health consequences. With a steady increase in BMI over 30, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, fatty liver disease, arthrosis of the joints and a number of oncological diseases increases. At the same time, already at the stage of overweight (BMI from 25), many people begin to show the first alarming signs — shortness of breath with little exertion, increased blood pressure, poor sleep, and back or knee pain.
At the stage of "just fullness," a person may feel relatively healthy, and the changes are limited to heaviness in the legs and rapid fatigue. However, if pressure surges, thirst, frequent urination, snoring, and severe daytime drowsiness are added to these sensations, this is a reason to suspect a transition to obesity and consult a doctor. In addition to appearance, doctors focus on laboratory parameters — glucose levels, lipid profile, hormonal levels — and instrumental studies to assess the condition of internal organs.
Self-diagnosis: how to check yourself at home
Some of the parameters that make it possible to suspect obesity can be assessed independently. First, you should weigh yourself and measure your height, then calculate your BMI using the above formula and compare the result with the table of body weight categories. If the indicator falls within the range of overweight or obesity, it is important not to limit yourself to the conclusion "you need to lose weight," but to evaluate other risk factors.
At home, you can additionally:
measure the circumference of the waist and hips with a tailor's meter and estimate whether the values are approaching dangerous thresholds.;
evaluate how difficult the usual loads are — climbing stairs, brisk walking, light running;
pay attention to the quality of sleep, the presence of snoring, headaches in the morning and swelling, which often accompany metabolic disorders.
If doubts remain, it is wise to consult a therapist or an endocrinologist, who, if necessary, will prescribe more accurate methods for assessing body composition — from bioimpedance to comprehensive examination.
Why early reaction is important
The sooner a person realizes that "getting a little better" is developing into a medical problem, the more gently and effectively it can be corrected. At the stage of overweight, it is often enough to change your diet, increase physical activity, and slightly adjust your lifestyle to bring your indicators back to the normal range. When obesity of the second or third degree is formed, it can be much more difficult to cope without medical supervision, drug therapy or even surgical treatment.
Experts emphasize that the main goal is not to have an ideal figure, but to reduce health risks. Therefore, the strategy of fighting excess weight is based not only around kilograms, but also around normalizing blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, improving the functioning of the heart, liver and joints. With proper and timely correction, even with a diagnosis of "obesity", the likelihood of severe complications can be significantly reduced and well-being restored.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
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