In terms of body weight, the main criterion is not the number of kilograms but the body mass index (BMI), which takes into account the height of a person as well. It is defined as body weight divided by height in meters squared. A person is overweight if the index is above 25, and obese if the exceeds 30.

Aggressive food marketing is problematic
Obesity was referred to as the rich people’s disease during the Middle Ages. Could the growing number of obese people stem from (average) prosperity of humankind and, therefore, serve as a social indicator? “Absolutely,” agrees Doctor Tina Sentočnik. “We live in an era with abundance of food, especially in the developed world. This is one of environmental factors related to obesity. But the biggest problem is aggressive food marketing.”

People differ in in gene structure but ….
In addition to the environmental group of factors, genetic factors also play a part. Prehistoric ancestors did not have many sources of nourishment at disposal, which is why they ate as much as they could to create some supply until the next meal in the uncertain future, but this survival instinct appears to be confusing to the body of modern humans, who have easy access to food virtually anytime. “This is the theory of the so-called savings gene. Several genes have been discovered in humans that influence their body weight. A gene allowing for slenderness was allegedly determined. People differ in gene structure, but the main share of increase weight is caused by the environment,” explains Sentočnik.

Joints are the first to suffer
Obesity does not only decrease the quality of life but also shortens life expectancy. Individuals who are extremely obese (BMI > 40) for most of their lives may die up to 20 years earlier, “which is truly alarming. Obesity is accompanied by related diseased. The most damaging to everyday life are those affecting the locomotor system: early joint wear, particularly those that carry the most weight such as knees, ankles, hips. People find it difficult to walk and move, entering a vicious circle: the harder a person moves, the more food they consume, and the weight increases even further. Another issue is chronic obesity-related diseases, the rise in which has alarmed the experts. On one hand, we’re seeing an increase in diseases that are expensive to treat. On the other hand, we’re already starting to diagnose them in children, which is a new phenomenon. Nowadays even young people can already be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated fat content in blood etc.,” warns Sentočnik.

Slavko Jerič, MMC; translated by K. Z.