Obesity is a chronic condition characterised by excessive accumulation of body fat. The condition is multifactorial. This means that the cause is often a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Obesity leads to various health problems such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep apnoea syndrome and fatty liver disease.

Obesity is often classified based on body mass index (BMI). It can also be classified based on the location of fat in the body (fat distribution) and the cause of obesity.

• Genetic obesity: rare. Weight increases at a very young age – younger than five years. You also feel a constant urge to seek food (hyperphagia). Obesity is usually part of a syndrome.
• Secondary obesity: caused by an endocrine disorder such as an underactive thyroid or by medication such as antipsychotics. In addition to weight gain, there are usually other symptoms.
• Primary obesity: the cause is unknown. This is the most common form.

UZ Gent

Obesity requires a multidisciplinary and sustainable approach. The cornerstone of any treatment is lifestyle changes.

More information: https://www.uzgent.be/nl/patient/zoek-een-arts-of-dienst/obesitaszorg

ACElab

The research group “Clinical Developmental Psychology”, a group that aims to study cognitive and emotional psychological mechanisms of child psychopathology, has a long research tradition in research on eating problems and obesity in children.

More information: https://www.ace-lab.be/