Class 2 Obesity

Class 2 obesity, also referred to as moderate obesity, is a medical condition characterized by a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 35 and 39.9. It is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.

This level of obesity often requires comprehensive interventions, including lifestyle changes, medical management, and in some cases, surgical options.

Understanding and addressing Class 2 obesity is crucial not only for improving an individual’s quality of life but also for reducing the burden on healthcare systems globally.

Describe the definition of obesity and how it is assessed

Obese people are at risk of gaining a major chronic illness because they weigh more than is deemed healthy. These people sometimes already have health issues that involve high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

A Belgian gentleman who trained as a statistician, mathematician, and astronomer in the 1830s was interested in assessing population characteristics. Despite his lack of medical training, he started compiling information about the typical “man” and human traits. He accomplished this by taking note of their weight and height before calculating the “ideal.” His original research served as the basis for calculations that we still use today, years later, to establish what constitutes a “healthy” weight using the body mass index chart, or BMI.

Describe a High Body Mass Index

Based on the BMI chart, a person qualifies as obese if their BMI is 30 or over. The amount of excess weight a person is carrying over what is considered to be healthy determines their level of obesity, which changes.

1. Class 1– BMI of 30
2. Class 2 – BMI – 35 to 40
3. Class 3 – BMI of 40
4. Class 4  – BMI of 50+.

Medical practitioners and insurance companies apply the BMI chart, which is widely accepted as a measurement tool, to assess a patient’s eligibility for specific operations and insurance coverage. As to the BMI chart, people who fall within the range of 19 to 24.9 would be deemed healthy and at their normal weight. A person is classed as overweight if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if their BMI is 30 or more, which puts them at higher risk for several metabolic diseases.

Because the studies were done on white European men, the data does not include all genders or ethnicities, which is why there is a lot of contention regarding using it to assess a person’s baseline health. It is all we have, and it is a quick, simple, and economical approach to categorize people who are at risk for health problems, even though it is not a completely true description of a person’s health.

The Various Obesity levels

The more frequently obese a person is, the higher their risk of contracting life-threatening diseases. An individual’s chance of having life-threatening illnesses increases with their level of obesity.

People who are mildly obese are more likely to develop metabolic disorders, have joint pain, and become tired easily. Moderately obese people are more likely to get heart difficulties, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes, among other major health problems. Heart disease, stroke, and numerous forms of cancer are among the life-threatening medical conditions that can affect those who are obese to the highest of these levels.

Class 2 Obesity (ICD 10)

Class 2 obesity, occasionally referred to as severe weight gain, is the second-worst category of obesity on the BMI scale. A person is deemed significantly obese if their body mass index falls between 35 and 39.9. Adults in this group are more likely to face threats to their physical and mental well-being. Among the problems they could run into are:

Serious Health Issue

• Type 2 diabetes;
• High blood pressure;
• Coronary disease;
• Stroke;
• Sleep Apnea;
• Cancer.

Psychological Issues

• Low self-esteem;
• Depression;
• Social stigma;
• Anxiety;
• Degrading relationships.

Mobility Issues

• Excess strain on joints;
• Musculoskeletal Issues;
• Back pain;
• Limits physical activity.

Decreased life expectancy

Some major medical disorders impair the average lifespan by five to fourteen years.

Increase in medical costs

• Frequent doctor visits;
• Prescription medications;
• Hospital stays.

Which Methods Work Best For Class 2 Obesity?

The best course of action for class 2 obesity is weight loss and decreasing your BMI to a moderate range of 18.5 to 24.9. Making long-term changes to one’s habits is necessary to lose an enormous quantity of weight. These modifications could consist of:

Healthy eating

One of the most important things you can do to lose weight is to change the way you eat. The majority of people who have attained the obese status do so because they frequently consume excessive amounts of unhealthy food. You can lower your BMI and enhance your health by consuming more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains instead of processed foods, junk food, sugar-filled drinks, and high-calorie snacks.

Regular physical activity

Sedentary lifestyles may lead to obesity. You must get up and move if you want to lose weight and improve your health. You must engage in some form of physical activity each day, such as dancing, swimming, or walking. To gain exercise, you don’t have to go to a gym; anything that helps you burn calories will suffice. gardening, playing golf, using a push mower to mow the grass, etc.

You might start slowly with a stroll around your neighborhood if you’re not used to working out. Walk for ten or fifteen minutes a few times a day at first, then extend the duration and increase the pace as you can.

By making dietary and exercise adjustments, many people with BMIs in the class 2 extreme obesity classification dropped 60 pounds or more.

Modifying a few habits

More variables might hinder effective weight loss, which may surprise some people. By altering certain habits, you can counteract these challenges and pave the path for a fruitful weight loss endeavor.

• Find a method to reduce your tension; 
• drink lots of water; 
• Acquire an adequate amount of 7 hours of rest per night.

Even though they can seem like harmless recommendations, they are all crucial while trying to reduce weight because failing to do so may prevent you from reaching your objectives. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more of the hormone that makes you hungry, and when stress accumulates, your body produces too much cortisol, which causes you to store fat. Maintaining adequate hydration will help you avoid overeating, keep you feeling full in between meals, and stop your body from shutting off your hunger signals when you are truly thirsty.

Behavioral therapy, medicine, and both methods of diet and exercise are commonly used to treat class 2 obesity:

Diet

Consume Food more whole grains and foods high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, and less processed and refined food. One diet that can aid in weight loss is the Mediterranean diet.

Exercise

Take part in moderate-intensity physical activities such as walking, biking, swimming, or tennis for at least 150 minutes per week. Increasing two days of muscle-strengthening activities each week is another option.

Behavioral therapy

You can find unhealthy habits and substitute them for healthy ones with the assistance of a therapist.

Medication

The following are a few drugs that may be used to treat obesity:

Naltrexone/bupropion (Mysimba): This combination medication is frequently given in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle modifications. By inhibiting opioid receptors and raising dopamine levels in the brain, it is believed to reduce appetite.

Phentermine and topiramate: Obese adults and children 12 years of age and up can benefit from this medicine.

Orlistat: This drug reduces the quantity of fat that the intestines process. There are two equates available: 120 mg with a prescription and 60 mg over-the-counter.

FAQs

References

• Umm. (n.d.). Class 2 obesity: University Hospital Mannheim. https://www.umm.de/en/surgery/obesity-surgery/bmi-obesity-class-1-or-3/class-2-obesity#:~:text=The%20BMI%20for%20class%202,of%20secondary%20diseases%20increases%20significantly.
• Batash, S. (2024, October 10). Defining Class 2 Obesity: What Is It & How To Treat It? Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center. https://batashmedical.com/blog/class-2-obesity/?srsltid=AfmBOor7o27xGcEKvtaVnuvnVPE67ts6c7IRwtDoEDHDZMISZy4gD6hp
• Health risks of obesity: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.-b). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000348.htm
• Health risks of obesity: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.-a). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000348.htm
• Obesity. (2024, October 29). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity