Obesity: disease and predictor of health complications

Abstract

Obesity leads to structural and functional changes that culminate in numerous organ-specific pathological complications, significantly affecting morbidity as well as the quality and length of life of obese individuals. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of complications associated with obesity. Payer, Jackuliak, and Nagyová [8] point to an association between obesity and the development of several malignant tumors, particularly breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. Kováčová and Dókuš [9] suggest that pregnant women with obesity are also exposed to a higher risk of maternal and perinatal complications, with the risk increasing as BMI rises. Skin folds formed as a result of obesity and sweating induce skin inflammation, fungal infections, and eczema. Materials and methods. Data were collected using a questionnaire and bioimpedance measurement with the InBody 230 device, with an emphasis on gender differences. Biochemical parameters were determined using standard laboratory methods in cooperation with the Alpha Medical laboratory. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data were evaluated using both descriptive and inferential statistics. In descriptive statistics, absolute (f) and relative frequencies (%) were used. For interval (continuous) variables, the arithmetic mean (AM), standard deviation (SD), median (Mdn), as well as minimum (min) and maximum (max) values were applied. Inferential statistics included tests for group comparisons and for identifying relationships between variables. Prior to selecting an appropriate test, data normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. As normality was not confirmed in all cases, non-parametric tests were employed. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare multiple groups within a single variable. For nominal variables, the chi-square test of independence and the chi-square goodness-of-fit test were applied. When the assumptions for these tests were not met (expected frequencies < 5), Fisher’s exact test was used. The degree of association was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. Cohen’s d was used to determine the practical significance of relationships. Values close to dCohen = 0.2 are considered small, around 0.5 medium, approximately 0.8 large, and above 0.8 very large. In the case of Spearman’s correlation, the correlation coefficient itself indicates the effect size. Results. A statistically significant difference between men and women was found in the presence of skin diseases (χ²(1)=5.823, p=0.016). Among women (n=27), the prevalence of skin diseases was higher than among men (n=7). A statistically significant difference between men and women was also observed in the presence of spinal and joint diseases (χ²(1)=6.321, p=0.012). Differences were also identified in the prevalence of respiratory diseases (χ²(1)=6.757, p=0.009), which were more frequent in women (n=37) than in men (n=11). In selected laboratory parameters, a decrease in body weight in cases of elevated values does not always result in a significant shift toward normal ranges. Conclusions. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and leads to structural and functional changes. It reduces average life expectancy. In patients with class III obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²), life expectancy is reduced by approximately 8–10 years. In patients with a BMI of 30–35 kg/m², life expectancy is shorter by about 3 years, and with each additional increase in BMI of 5 kg/m², the risk of vascular mortality due to conditions such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, and other vascular diseases increases by 40%. Despite this, obesity is not considered a disease.Obesity should be regarded as a chronic disease as well as a risk factor for the development of other serious chronic conditions. Information on the number of overweight/obese individuals and their comorbidities constitutes a fundamental basis for disease prevention and the prevention of disability. Such information is of great importance for the planning and development of public health policy, as well as for general public health activities and preventive measures.