Obesity Diagnosis and Pathophysiology

The global obesity pandemic is among the most significant public health crises today. A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity pathogenesis is governed by a disorder of energy homeostasis: (1) the sustained positive energy balance and (2) the resetting of the body weight set point to an increased value. Both processes are in turn affected and molded by a combination of genetic, epigenetic, developmental, hormonal, and environmental factors. Given the widespread prevalence of obesity and numerous associated comorbidities, most medical governing bodies advocate for early and frequent screening of obesity. The diagnosis of obesity remains imperfect and has been traditionally dependent upon the calculated body mass index (BMI). However, research into the underlying biological mechanisms driving the association between adiposity and chronic diseases have identified several “obesity biomarkers.” These markers may soon play a role in better defining the disease and its associated medical sequelae.