Question

Describe an obese patient, identifying these items in your description.

• Exam findings leading to the obesity diagnosis (criteria used to determine)
• Etiology of your patient’s diagnosis
• Risk factors exhibited
• Appropriate lab work and findings
• Treatment and follow-up

Answer 1

Obesity

Obesity is a medical problem and is a state of being obese due to an excess of body fat. This condition may leads to increased risk of other health problems. Obesity is one of the main etiology for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Mr. X has diagnosed with Obesity, a state of being obese due to an excess of body fat. Obese means extremely overweight.

Criteria used to determine Obesity

Body mass index( BMI) : A statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height, used to estimate if a person is underweight or overweight.

BMI = weight(kg)/ height( meter square)

A healthy range of BMI is 18.5 - 24.9 and a BMI of More than 25 is overweight. If the BMI is more than 30 it is in Obesity range.

( Mr x has a BMI of 34 kg/ meter square)

Etiology

* Genetic factors

* Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity

* High energy diet ( More energy intake than energy expenditure)

* Other disorders like hypothyroidism, eating disorders, Cushing's Syndrome

* Drugs such as antipsychotics , anti depressants, hormonal contraceptives or steroids may cause obesity

Risk factors exhibited: Heart diseases and strokes are the major risk factors that are exhibited by the Patient with Obesity. These are resulting from the conditions like hyperlipidemia( abnormal cholesterol level), hypertension.

Obesity also leads to Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers( breast cancer), fatty liver disease.

Lab work and findings

Blood tests: for Cholesterol level and glucose level.

( Findings of above 200 mg/ dL cholesterol level is borderline and above 240 is high. Low density is should be less than 100. 70 - 100 mg/dL is the desirable Glucose level for adult when fasting and upto 140 after the food.

Liver function test and thyroid function test also prescribed by Doctors for an Obese patient

Treatment and follow up

The main goal of the treatment for obesity is to maintain healthy body weight and to reduce risk for complications.

* Modification in lfe style: Regular exercise, avoid alcoholism and junk foods, binge eating

* Modification in the diet: According to AmericanHeart Association' High complex - Carbohydrate, low fat meal plan' should be taken by obese patient and weight reducing diet such as low Carbohydrate and fiber rich diet.

* Drugs like Sibutramine , Orlistat

* Bariatric surgery or Gastric bypass surgery to reduce the volume of stomach

Follow up: Regular follow up is necessary to retain healthy weight and to prevent complications. Strict compliance to dietary modification and physical exercise is very important.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are may be needed as per physician's order. Regular monitoring of Blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol level should be there.