Obesity as a chronic disease

The global prevalence of obesity has more than tripled since 1975 and represents a substantial public health challenge. Obesity is a chronic disease with a high tendency to recurrence and is associated with numerous comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. Every year around 2.8 million people die from the sequelae. Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of fatty tissue. In routine clinical practice obesity is diagnosed by measuring the body mass index (BMI); however, there are numerous professional associations that recommend the additional determination of another biometric parameter (waist to height ratio or waist circumference). This not only reduces inaccuracies in the BMI but also makes it easier to identify patients with a particularly high risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Regardless of the definitions and diagnostics of obesity, the aim of treatment for those affected is not just to reduce weight but more to improve the quality of life, overall survival and the improvement or prevention of obesity-related diseases.