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Obesity

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...

Energy Balance

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The human body gets energy from the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Energy is released when the chemical bonds in the organic compounds present in the food are broken down. The energy content of food is measured in kilocalories (kcal), defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. This value is determined by measuring the temperature change of the water surrounding a calorimeter after the complete...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

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Is there a paradox in obesity?

Akankasha Goyal¹, Kameswara Rao Nimmakayala, Joel Zonszein

¹From the *Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY; and †Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Vernon Hospital Center, Mount Vernon, NY.

Cardiology in Review

|June 5, 2014

Summary

The "obesity paradox" may stem from a misunderstanding of adipose tissue. Body mass index (BMI) doesn't distinguish fat types, and fit individuals with higher BMI may have better outcomes.

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Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

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Published on: May 8, 2018

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Science
Metabolic Health
Obesity Research

Background:

Rising obesity rates correlate with increased morbidity and mortality.
The "obesity paradox" suggests obese individuals may have better outcomes despite comorbidities.
Current research often overlooks adiposity type, quantity, and disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the complex role of adipose tissue in cardiovascular disease.
To explore the metabolic implications of different adiposity types.
To critically examine the concept of the "obesity paradox".

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on adipose tissue biology and cardiovascular outcomes.
Analysis of the limitations of body mass index (BMI) in obesity assessment.
Discussion of the pathophysiology linking adiposity, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk.

Main Results:

Adipose tissue characteristics (location, function) significantly impact metabolic health.
Visceral obesity is linked to inflammation and poorer metabolic profiles.
High BMI with functional adiposity may be associated with lower mortality risk.

Conclusions:

The "obesity paradox" may be an oversimplification due to a lack of understanding of adipose tissue complexity.
Adiposity type and function are critical factors in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Further research is needed to elucidate the intricate relationship between obesity, adiposity, and health outcomes.