Obesity: Risk factors, management and social stigmas

Pediatric, adolescent and adult obesity is one of the most important public health challenge. Obesity and overweight are often associated with increased disability, enhanced morbidity and mortality, premature death.Obesity and overweight are also frequently comorbid with several medical and psychiatric conditions. A body mass index (BMI) over 30 significantly increased odds of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, as well as affective disorders, above all major depression and bipolar disorder. The co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders significantly increased psychosocial impairment, disability and suffering. Therefore, it is crucial for clinicians to perform a psychiatric assessment in all obese subjects trying to identify the contribution of psychological factors to the perceived distress.The adequate treatment of co-occurring psychiatric conditions reduces the burden of disease facilitating the management of obese subjects. A fundamental challenge in developing effective interventions to prevent both obesity and overweight is represented by the identification of stable and modifiable long-term risk factors playing a critical role in the maintenance of this complex disorder. The presence of stigmatized attitudes and discrimination increasing psychosocial impairment together with relevant personal and interpersonal distress in subjects with obesity and overweight must not be neglected. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.