Obesity (overweight)

What is obesity?

Obesity is often measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI). This is calculated by dividing your weight by your height squared. This gives an idea of the degree of obesity but does not always give a complete picture.

BMI does not take age or gender into account, nor can it be used with children, the elderly or people with a lot of muscle mass. Fat percentage and location of excess fat play an important role in determining obesity. Therefore, subsequent measurements can provide a more accurate picture:

Fat percentage measurement: measurement of body composition using an impedance meter.
Abdominal circumference measurement: measurement of the amount of fat located around your abdomen. This gives a better understanding of health risk.

Cause

Obesity is a complex disease often caused by a combination of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. There can be several causes of obesity:

Unhealthy eating and living habits
Genetic factors
Medical conditions such as a slow-working thyroid, Cushing's disease,...
Medications such as antidepressants, steroids,...
Lack of sleep
...

Obesity often has more than one cause.

Possible consequences

Obesity or corpulence can have serious consequences, both short- and long-term.

The following consequences can occur:

High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Sleep apnea
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Hypercholesterolemia
Increased risk of certain types of cancer such as breast and colon cancer
Depression, anxiety
Low self-esteem

Possible treatments for obesity

The treatment of obesity is often multidisciplinary and may involve different approaches depending on the severity of the condition and the individual needs of the patient. Together, we work with you to find the most appropriate treatment option ranging from lifestyle modifications, to medication support and/or referral for surgical treatment (sleeve gastrectomy and/or gastric bypass).

Gastric bypass
Sleeve gastrectomy