The health risks of obesity
Obesity significantly degrades the quality of life of an adult individual and can have serious consequences on his or her health:
- An increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- A reduction in life expectancy
- An increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer and breast cancer
Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents also have negative consequences:
- an increased risk of suffering from respiratory problems
- an increased risk of developing diabetes in adulthood
- a high risk of fractures
- the development of insulin resistance
Overweight and obesity in adults and children can also contribute to the development of depression. The treatment of overweight and obesity is therefore essential to preserve the health of those concerned.
The treatment of obesity
Weight loss through healthy eating
It is the main means of combating overweight and obesity. Weight loss must be carried out in a reasoned manner; a balanced diet and regular sports practice allow you to lose weight gradually without endangering the person concerned physically and psychologically. It is advisable to have an adapted therapeutic follow-up.
Treatment of obesity by surgery
The treatment of obesity by surgery (or "bariatric" surgery) is intended for adults suffering from so-called "massive" obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40) or "severe" obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 35), combined with a disease.
These people must justify several unsuccessful attempts at weight loss and must not have any medical contraindications.
There are two types of surgeries:
- Restrictive surgeries that reduce the size of the stomach (gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, calibrated vertical gastroplasty).
- Restrictive and "malabsorptive" surgeries that reduce the size of the stomach and decrease the assimilation of food by the body ("bypass", biliopancreatic bypass).
