Knowledge
What is obesity?
Obesity is a chronic disease where the body's fat mass increases so much that health is affected. In children, the disease is assessed using age- and gender-adjusted thresholds, iso-BMI, and development over time.
A chronic disease – not a lack of willpower
Obesity is internationally classified as a chronic disease. The body's regulation of hunger, satiety, and energy storage is influenced by hereditary and biological factors that cannot be controlled by willpower.
Describing obesity as a self-inflicted condition is therefore both incorrect and stigmatising. The national treatment programme for childhood obesity emphasises a respectful and non-stigmatising approach.
The difference between overweight and obesity in children
For adults, fixed BMI thresholds are used. For children, iso-BMI is used, where the thresholds are adapted to age and gender.
iso-BMI 25
Overweight – not the same as obesity, but important to monitor.
iso-BMI 30
Obesity – the threshold where diagnosis is made in children.
iso-BMI 35
Severe obesity – often requires specialist care.
What causes obesity?
There is rarely a single cause. The disease arises from an interplay between biology and environment, for example:
- hereditary factors affecting appetite, satiety and metabolism
- an environment where energy-rich food and sedentary behaviour are readily available
- sleep deprivation and stress
- mental ill-health and disordered eating behaviours
- certain medications and diseases
- social and economic conditions in everyday life
Because the causes are complex, the advice to 'eat less and move more' is rarely enough. Treatment needs to be based on the whole family's daily life and follow the child's development over time.
Why early detection matters
Obesity that continues into adulthood increases the risk of complications such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal problems. Already in childhood, obesity can affect sleep, energy levels, mobility, and mental health.
Treatment that starts early has a greater chance of influencing development. This is one of the reasons why child healthcare services and school health services regularly monitor children's growth.
Read about how overweight and obesity are detected in children
Can obesity be treated?
Yes. The foundation is combined lifestyle intervention, CLI, where the whole family receives support regarding food, activity, sleep, and routines.
Treatment is long-term and can, if necessary, be supplemented with digital treatment support, and within specialist care, also medication or surgery for carefully selected patients.
Do you work professionally with childhood obesity?
Evira is a digital treatment support that makes it possible to follow a child's development between clinic visits.