Paradigm Change to Future Health Enhancement through Comprehending the Concept of Obesity Disease in Japan

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide. Obesity greatly increases health care costs because of associated complications. Illnesses related to obesity include impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Obesity also increases the risk of developing type II diabetes. Mild obesity, as well as severe obesity, may result in development of obesity associated diseases, where a person suffers from health problems that are caused by or related to obesity. Obesity disease is differentiated from obesity, which is not accompanied by health problems that represent risk factors for various diseases. Development of obesity disease needs to be prevented or mitigated through a reduction in weight. For individuals who are obese, awareness of the concept of obesity disease could help in selecting appropriate treatment. The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity recommends that researchers and physicians fully comprehend the concepts of obesity and obesity disease. Treatment paradigms and therapeutic focuses are constantly changing, and this knowledge needs to be disseminated to individuals with obesity, regardless of whether they have health problems. This review discusses the concepts of obesity and obesity disease. The role of adipose tissue in metabolic complications due to obesity, as well as prevention and treatment of metabolic complications are also discussed with respect to improving health. The main aim of this review is to assist reader to determine the level of risk associated with obesity disease and obesity-related complications.