This is a chronic disease that is defined by the excessive accumulation of fat in the body that can affect the individual’s health. Obesity is also linked to more mortality globally. Obesity is considered to be an imbalance of the calories that are consumed and expended. Obesity is also linked to the physical inactivity and consumption of energy-dense food that is high in fat. Obesity can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some types of cancers and musculoskeletal disorders. Obesity can be reduced by limiting the food containing high fats or sugars, to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables and to participate in a regular physical activity. Some of the serious complications that can develop from obesity include high blood pressure, heart disease, high blood cholesterol and cancer. There are various medical conditions that can also cause overweight and obesity that include Prader-Willi syndrome, Cohen syndrome, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome and Bardet-Beidl syndrome.
Prader-Willi syndrome
This is a rare genetic condition characterized by a number of physical, mental and behavioral problems. The affected individuals have a constant feeling of hunger that can typically begin around 2 years of age. As the result, they have the need to eat constantly causing obesity. Several of the complications that develop from this syndrome are the result of obesity. The treatment of Prader-Willin syndrome is based on human growth hormone, weight management, medications for sleep disturbances and behavior management.
Cohen syndrome
This is an inherited condition that can affect several parts of the body and can present developmental delay, small sized head, weak muscle tone and intellectual disability. Additional features include nearsightedness, retinal dystrophy, associated facial features, low levels of white blood cells (neutropenia) and obesity. This condition develops because of a genetic mutation that produces a protein involved in the normal growth, nerve cells development, storage and distribution of fats in the body. The genetic mutation prevents the production of the functional protein that causes the underlying problems associated with this syndrome.
Hypothyroidism
This condition develops when the body does not produce sufficient amount of thyroid hormone which is essential for the body’s metabolism. One of the common causes of hypothyroidism is the inflammation of the thyroid gland which damages its cells. Some of the symptoms include fatigue, increased weight gain, muscle cramps, memory loss, depression, weakness and abnormal menstrual cycles. Among the majority of the cases, the treatment of hypothyroidism is based on the thyroid hormone replacement which can improve the symptoms.
Cushing’s syndrome
This syndrome develops because of the increased level of a hormone in the body called cortisol. The symptoms of cushing’s syndrome include weight gain, thinning of the skin, fat deposits on the face, muscle or bone weakness and loss of libido. Cushing’s syndrome can develop because of a side effect of corticosteroids used to treat an autoimmune condition. The treatment is focused on the withdrawal or reducing the use of corticosteroids which can help control the symptoms.
References
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/causes
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cohen-syndrome#genes
https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone-0
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cushings-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
