Obesity: A Complex Chronic Disease, Not a Lack of Willpower

Obesity, a global epidemic

According to health authorities, over a billion people worldwide were living with obesity in 2022, including 159 million children and adolescents. Obesity is defined by a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m². It is not a lifestyle choice, but a complex chronic disease.

Multiple causes

Genetics explain 40-70% of susceptibility to obesity. Environmental factors — ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, endocrine disruptors — interact with this predisposition. The brain regulates body weight around a "set point" that it defends after each weight loss.

Health complications

Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (x7), cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnea, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), depression, and certain cancers (breast, colon, kidney). It reduces life expectancy by 5 to 20 years depending on severity.

Current treatments

GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) represent a therapeutic revolution with weight losses of 15 to 25%. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective option for severe obesity. Nutritional and psychological support is essential in all cases.