The photo shows Zhang Zhongtao (center), the deputy director of Beijing Friendship Hospital, performing weight loss surgery for a patient. Xinhua News Agency
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 19 – (Reporter Xia Ke) In recent years, with the accelerated pace of modern life, increased work and study pressure, and changes in dietary structure, the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues caused by overweight and obesity has been rising year by year, and is becoming increasingly common among younger people. What is the standard for obesity? What causes obesity? How can one maintain a healthy weight? The reporter interviewed relevant experts.
Zhang Peng, chief physician of the Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Center at Beijing Friendship Hospital, explained that body mass index (BMI) is generally used to determine whether a person is obese. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. If this value is 24 or higher, it is considered overweight; if it is 28 or higher, it is considered obesity.
Experts indicate that a BMI between 24 and 28 is classified as overweight, a BMI between 28 and 32.5 as mild obesity, around 32.5 to 40 as moderate obesity, over 40 as severe obesity, and over 50 as extreme obesity. In clinical practice, different guidance methods are provided based on the level of obesity, including management of psychological, behavioral, dietary, and exercise factors. After achieving obesity, there are also various treatment options including medications, physiotherapy, and even surgical treatments, tailored to the different degrees of obesity.
A research report published in The Lancet shows that in 2022, the global population suffering from obesity reached over 1 billion, with 43% of adults classified as overweight. Since 1990, the number of adults with obesity worldwide has more than doubled, and the number of obese children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 has tripled. A 2023 study revealed that 34.8% of the population in our country is overweight, and 14.1% is obese. “These figures indicate that obesity has become an urgent health problem that not only affects individual health but has also become a public health issue,” said Feng Ying, deputy chief physician of the Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Center at Beijing Ditan Hospital.
“The most common complications for overweight and obese populations in our country are fatty liver disease, prediabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The incidence of fatty liver complications in overweight individuals is 49.0%, while in obese individuals it is 81.8%.” Feng Ying noted that there is a significant number of young people among the obese population, who are prone to associated psychological issues such as depression. This group is often the backbone of families and organizations, and their illness can have a considerable impact on themselves, their families, and society.
Zhang Peng mentioned that there are various factors leading to obesity. On one hand, conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome or severe hypothyroidism can cause obesity, and treating the primary condition is essential for weight loss; on the other hand, the use of certain hormonal medications can also lead to obesity. “Currently, the more common type is simple obesity, or primary obesity, which may result from poor management of lifestyle, diet, and exercise. For example, office workers experiencing high stress often have unhealthy diets and no time for exercise, which can lead to obesity.”
“Diet and exercise are the foundations of all weight loss efforts. Whether before or after treatment, managing diet is crucial; there are no shortcuts to losing weight while eating whatever one wants. One should not look for quick and easy solutions,” Zhang Peng emphasized. “It is important to have a balanced diet, eat enough but not excessively high in calories, and opt for foods with lower energy density.”
Ding Bingjie, deputy chief physician of the Nutrition Department at Beijing Friendship Hospital, stated that being too overweight is bad, but being too thin is also detrimental. If BMI is below 18.5, it indicates a state of underweight, which also requires weight management, aiming to increase body weight, particularly muscle mass. Moreover, having a normal weight does not mean that weight management is unnecessary; one should be aware of potential future weight gain. “As age increases, the basal metabolic rate decreases, muscle mass reduces, and fat increases. Therefore, managing weight effectively while one is at a normal level can be much more effective than trying to lose weight after becoming overweight.”
