Obesity permagna

Julia Dobmeier is currently completing her master's degree in clinical psychology. Since the beginning of her studies, she has been particularly interested in the treatment and research of mental illnesses. In doing so, they are particularly motivated by the idea of ​​enabling those affected to enjoy a higher quality of life by conveying knowledge in a way that is easy to understand.

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Obesity permagna (lat. Permagnus = huge, very large) is the most severe form of obesity. People with obesity permagna are very overweight and have to reckon with serious health consequences if the disease persists for a long time and they do not achieve weight normalization. Read everything you need to know about the diagnosis and treatment of obesity here.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. E66

What is permagna obesity?

Obesity is medically divided into different degrees of severity. The classification is based on the so-called body mass index (BMI). Using this unit of measurement, a person's weight can be roughly classified. To calculate the BMI, one divides the body weight in kilograms by the squared body height in meters: BMI = weight [kg] / (body height [m]) 2

Normal weight is between 18.5 and 24.9 kg / m2 with a BMI. In adults with a BMI of over 40 kg / m² one speaks of obesity permagna or also of obesity grade 3. However, the BMI alone does not allow a sufficiently precise assessment of how serious the complications of obesity can be. Some people already suffer from severe restrictions and secondary diseases from a BMI of over 30kg / m². It is not only the extent of the obesity that plays a role, but also how long the obesity has existed overall. As a rule, the longer a person is overweight, the more severe the physical and psychological consequences.

Why is obesity permagna also referred to as morbid obesity?

Obesity permagna is also referred to as morbid obesity (Latin: morbidus "sick"), as this form of obesity can lead to a large number of diseases and thus significantly reduce life expectancy in many cases. Common secondary diseases of obesity are diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus), high blood pressure, joint wear and tear and even cancer.

Another problem of obesity permagna is the fact that those affected are often no longer able to carry out their jobs. Physical activity becomes insurmountable agony. Even sitting in an office chair can become impossible due to sore joints. People with obesity permagna also often experience disdain from their environment. Many therefore hardly dare to leave the house where they would be exposed to the judgmental glances of other people. This social isolation often exacerbates the physical and mental problems drastically.

The number of very overweight people is increasing

Overall, the number of people with obesity is increasing sharply in Germany and worldwide. In particular, the number of people who are very overweight (obesity permagna) is also increasing. Experts estimate that around two million people in Germany already suffer from obesity permagna. It is particularly worrying that more and more children and adolescents are already affected by morbid obesity.

The causes of obesity permagna

As with the other forms of obesity, there are a number of different causes of obesity. However, grade 3 obesity is mainly caused by a diet that is too high in fat in combination with too little exercise. However, this does not automatically mean that obese people are to blame for their disease: some genes have now been identified that lead to excessive appetite. The genes also seem to have a number of other effects: For example, leaner people have a comparatively higher basal metabolic rate. This means that they burn more calories even when they are resting and are thus better protected against obesity.

In people with obesity permagna, incorrectly learned nutritional and lifestyle habits are often involved in the development of the disease even in childhood: Children orient themselves towards the eating habits of their own parents and primarily eat the foods that their parents intended for meals. The parents also have a role model function when it comes to physical activity.

An important factor for the degree of obesity seems to be the age at which a child or adolescent is already overweight. The younger and more overweight, the greater the probability that a BMI of> 40 kg / m2 will be reached at some point. Many people with obesity permagna have a real "obesity career" behind them. Over time, they keep increasing. Difficulties in the path of life (bereavement, failure, etc.) can be decisive turning points that lead to further weight gain.

Treatment of obesity permagna

In Grade 3 obesity, diets often only achieve short-term success. Many sufferers put their weight back on relatively quickly after the diet. In the case of morbid obesity, the best prospects for permanent weight loss are therefore the most likely intensive rehabilitative and surgical procedures: With the help of a gastric band, gastric tube or gastric bypass, the stomach is changed in such a way that those affected lose a lot of weight within a very short time.

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