Physicians recognize pathological overweight in many cases too late

Being overweight is affecting more and more people and leads to a variety of health problems and sequelae such as diabetes, high blood pressure, gout or respiratory problems. But many physicians recognize obesity apparently only too late, which leads to serious consequences for health insurance companies and patients. This reports the news agency "dpa", citing an article in the magazine "Handelsblatt". According to investigations by the Barmer GEK, only eleven percent of those insured were diagnosed as "overweight" - although almost every second German is affected.

A "Body Mass Index" of over 25 means overweight
More and more people around the world are suffering from overweight and obesity. Germany is one of the "Top 10" of the countries with the most affected persons, because according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 23% of men and 24% of women in this country are considered obese. The basis for calculation is the so-called "body mass index" (BMI), which results from the body weight (kg) divided by the square of the body height. If the BMI is over 25 overweight, from a value of 30 doctors speak of obesity.

Too rarely, patients are addressed by their massive obesity by doctors. Image: Jessmine - fotolia

Despite the rising numbers, a morbid obesity is apparently diagnosed too late by German doctors in many cases. According to the "Handelsblatt", Barmer GEK has revealed this to its 3.5 million insured persons. This would have serious consequences for health insurances and patients, because secondary and concomitant diseases such as back and joint wear, hypertension or heart disease would require a more intensive therapy. The saved costs in the treatment of the "cause of disease obesity" would pay the health insurance "twice and three times", if later the most chronic sequelae must be treated, the magazine continues.

Surgery may also be late
In addition, the Barmer's research has also suggested that surgical procedures such as a gastric reduction may be performed too late - although this could also cure certain sequelae. According to the Handelsblatt, however, according to the medical director of the Barmer GEK, Ursula Marschall, before an expansion of the operations, an examination is necessary as to whether similar results could not be achieved by a conservative therapy. (No)

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