Attention, obesity rarely comes alone!

Obesity drastically increases the likelihood of developing further comorbidities, which can have a fatal impact on the state of health of those affected. These comorbidities can affect different areas of the body:¹

• Heart and blood vessels (e.g. cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension)
• Metabolism (e.g. type 2 diabetes)
• Knochen (z.B. Osteoarthritis)
• Respiratory (e.g., asthma or obstructive sleep apnea)
• Hormone system (eg polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Kidneys (e.g. chronic kidney failure)

Reducing the risk of comorbidities

One weight reduction can help reduce the likelihood of developing the comorbidities of obesity. In relation to cardiovascular diseases Losing weight can lead to the normalization of the concentration of plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of hypercholesterolaemia.² Also patients with metabolic diseases like one Typ-2-Diabetes, which is 7-12 times more common in people with obesity than people of normal weight, may benefit from weight loss. Study data show that less weight was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes in those affected and that weight reduction even led to remission of the metabolic disease in some cases.^3-6 This effect persisted even 10 years after weight loss and subsequent weight gain.⁷ Patients with obesity often suffer from one obstructive sleep apnea, which further increases their level of suffering. Weight loss has been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, with particularly significant success in losing at least 10 kg.^8,9

For an increased quality of life

It is therefore possible to improve the quality of life of those affected by losing weight.¹⁰ Even a weight reduction of 5 kg can already have a decisive effect, as it is sufficient to achieve a noticeable reduction in pain in osteoarthritis, for example.^11,12 Improving the quality of life also has a positive impact on the emotional state of those affected by obesity. It has been shown that weight loss can reduce the likelihood of depression.¹³ Patients who are overweight can therefore benefit both physically and psychologically from weight reduction.

When advising your patients with obesity, our “Obesity Risk Calculator” can be an effective communication tool. By specifying various parameters relating to the state of health of those affected, the probability of all typical concomitant diseases of obesity is calculated. You will then receive a clear presentation of the results, which you can discuss with your patients. Feel free to click hereto learn more about the Obesity Risk Calculator.

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Credentials:

1. Haase CL et al. Int J Obes. 2021;45:1249-1258.
2. Dattilo A.M. Kris-Etherton P.M. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;56(2):320-328.
3. Li G. et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014;2:474–480.
4. Lean M.E.J. et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2019;7(5):344-355.
5. Guh D.P. et al. BMC Public Health. 2009;9:88.
6. Barnes A.S. Tex Heart Inst J. 2011;38(2):142-144.
7. Knowler WC et al. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346 (6): 393-403.
8. Foster G.D. et al. Archives of internal medicine. 2009;169(17):1619-1626.
9. Kuna ST et al. Sleep. 2013;36(5):641-649.
10. Warkentin LM et al. Obesity Reviews. 2014; 15 (3): 169-182.
11. Coggon D. et al. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001;25(5):622-627.
12. Christensen R. et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66(4):433-439.
13. Wright F. et al. Journal of health psychology. 2013;18(4):574-586.