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Key Clinical Updates in Obesity
The five FDA-approved devices for the treatment of obesity include two intragastric balloons (Orbera and Obalon), the AspireAssist aspiration device, superabsorbent hydrogel capsules (Plenity), and the TransPyloric Shuttle device.
The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer option for surgical treatment of obesity that has gained popularity.
It uses an endoscopic suturing device to reduce the cavity of the stomach, mimicking the surgical sleeve gastrectomy without the need for surgical resection.
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ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS
Disorder of energy homeostasis; body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2.
Upper body obesity (abdomen and flank) of greater health consequence than lower body obesity (buttocks and thighs).
Associated comorbid conditions include type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, stroke, and obstructive sleep apnea.
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DEFINITION & MEASUREMENT
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Obesity is a multifactorial, chronic disease characterized by an accumulation of visceral and subcutaneous fat, which promotes adipocyte dysfunction. Obesity predisposes to a wide variety of comorbid conditions. BMI typically correlates with excess adipose tissue. It is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (eTable 29–8). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines a normal BMI as 18.5–24.9 kg/m2. Overweight is defined as BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2. Class I obesity is 30–34.9 kg/m2, class II is 35–39.9 kg/m2, and class III is greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2. Upper body obesity (excess adipose tissue around the waist and flank) is a greater health hazard than lower body obesity (adipose tissue in the thighs and buttocks). Patients with obesity and increased abdominal circumference (greater than 102 cm or 40 inches in men and 88 cm or 35 inches in women) or high waist–hip ratios (greater than 1.0 in men and 0.85 in women) have a greater risk of weight-related comorbid conditions and early death than patients with the same BMI and lower ratios. Visceral fat within the abdominal cavity is more hazardous to health than subcutaneous fat around the abdomen. Survey data suggest that almost 40% of Americans have obesity.
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HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY
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Obesity is associated with significant increases in both morbidity and mortality, and many disorders occur with greater frequency in patients with obesity (eFigure 29–1). Obesity-related comorbidities include many leading causes of preventable death such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and many cancers. Over 200 health conditions ranging from hypertension and coronary artery disease to thromboembolic and skin disorders are more prevalent in patients with obesity. Patients with higher BMI have increased surgical and obstetric risks and higher rates of major depression and binge eating disorder. Most patients with excess weight have experienced weight bias.
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