obesity

Question 1

what is obesity?

Answer 1

obesity is characterised by an excess accumulation of fat (adipose tissue)

the condition is a manifestation of prolonged positive energy balance

the root cause is due to an interaction of behaviour, physiology, genetics, evolution and environment

Question 2

who are more likely to become obese?

Answer 2

men, maori, pasifika, non-asian (vs asian), most deprived and disabled adults are significantly more likely to become obese

Question 3

what are the causes of obesity?

Answer 3

obesity results from a prolonged period of positive energy balance
- however, simply viewing obesity as a “caloric deficit” is oversimplistic and ineffective with respect to treating and managing the condition

risk factors:
Genetics - genes related to appetite, satiation, metabolism, energy storage & natural PA levels

Environment - lack of green space, cars for transportation

Toxic food environment - abundance of easy to procure low-cost high calorie food sources, food advertising

Medical conditions - hypothyroidism, cushings disease, polycytic ovary syndrome

Medications - antipsychotics, antidepressants

PA - too little daily PA, transportation

evolutionary adaptation - high capacity for energy storage, increased energy set point

Societal & behaviour - interaction between individual and societal groups, individual and environment

Question 4

how does CO vs VO2 differ between normal and obese individuals?

Answer 4

there is a smaller slope in the relationship between CO vs VO2 in obese individuals.

This suggests more peripheral oxygen extraction must occur in obese individuals for the same work rate