For World Obesity Day, GPs are preparing a decalogue on obesity-related comorbidities and will promote research into social stigma in their consultations.
As part of World Obesity Day, March 4, physicians from the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition (DON) group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) prepared a decalogue revealing the comorbidities associated with this disease.
The main goal is to recognize obesity as a chronic and multifactorial disease that has many associated complications.
At the same time, a study was launched to find out the extent of social stigma against obesity. Data collection will take place at internal medicine consultations starting in May next year.
Dr. Juana Carretero, President of SEMI, emphasizes that “you should not talk about a metabolically healthy person who is obese. We must view obesity as a chronic, relapsing and multifactorial disease. Obesity is not a risk factor for diabetes and other metabolic and nonmetabolic diseases, but is itself a chronic disease that results in other metabolic diseases.
Obese people are more susceptible to developing metabolic diseases. For example, they can lead to diabetes or metabolic-associated liver dysfunction (MASLD).
Other comorbidities may include cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke), sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, up to 32 different types of cancer, and fertility and infertility problems. In addition, they have joint problems (osteoarthritis) and are at greater risk of needing prosthetics and replacement of any of the damaged joints.
“We must change the minds of the scientific community and help the public become more aware of the risks associated with obesity. Excess body fat leads to a significant decline in health and quality of life and is not an aesthetic problem, but rather a health problem,” says Dr. Carretero.
The current prevalence of obesity among adults in Spain is 23%. However, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2023, it is expected to be 30% by 2030 and 37% by 2035.
In addition, all this complicates the correct identification of sarcopenic obesity, which is widespread in internal medicine consultations. It consists, in addition to a high body mass index, in a lack of muscle mass.
“It is important to identify sarcopenic obesity in our patients because it is associated with less muscle mass, poorer muscle quality, and more comorbidities,” explains the medical professional.
The truth is that, overall, obesity remains underdiagnosed (less than 40% of obese people are diagnosed), undertreated (less than 20% receive evidence-based medications), and less than 1.3% of professionals prescribe such medications.
Decalogue “Obesity in internal diseases of the 21st century. Construction of a decalogue of concomitant diseases associated with obesity in the treatment of internal diseases” was prepared by general practitioners.
This document contains ten keys to obesity, patient phenotypes, obesity assessment, considerations for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes, cardiovascular benefits of weight loss, lifestyle, medications, surgery, sarcopenia, and frailty-related aspects.
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