Risk factors and comorbidities related to obesity & EDs
Source : Nutriactis/Rouen-Normandie hospital
Summary
- What difference between a risk factor and a comorbidity?
- Why is it important to assess risk factors & comorbidities?
- Focus on risk factors
Indeed the NutriActis® platform will provide a full prevention and intervention program for both eating disorders (ED) and obesity. Depending on the results of the initial screening, participants will be directed to the appropriate program (prevention or care). In order to better understand the composition of these programs, this article focuses on the risk factors and comorbidities associated with ED and obesity, and their impact.
What difference between a risk factor and a comorbidity?
- A risk factor is an element increasing the probability of developing a disease.
- A comorbidity is a trouble associated with an initial disease.
In brief, we talk about risk factors before the onset of an ED or obesity and we talk about comorbidity after the development of one of these pathologies.
Why is it important to assess risk factors & comorbidities?
Eating disorders and obesity are complex and multifactorial diseases with multiple risk factors and comorbidities. The assessment of risk factors for each pathology is essential for setting up an efficient prevention program; reducing risk factors decreases the risk of pathology onset.
Furthermore, identifying comorbidities is essential to develop a comprehensive therapeutic approach; reducing comorbidities usually implies decreasing the severity of the disease.
The NutriActis® program focuses on risk factors and comorbidities which are strongly associated with the development of ED and obesity. In the program phase 2*, using questionnaires, you will be able to self-assess your potential risk factors / comorbidities and then try to reduce them via the self-prevention / self-care modules made for you.
Focus on risk factors
ED and obesity share many of the same risk factors and comorbidities. The combination of risk factors such as environmental, genetic, biological, psychological and socio-cultural can predispose individuals to the onset of ED and obesity. Furthermore, the scientific literature highlights a strong association between the various risk factors/comorbidities. This accumulation can lead to a vicious circle (Figure 1) and contribute to the perpetuation both pathologies.
Detailed bibliographic syntheses on risk factors and comorbidities associated with ED and obesity will be soon available .
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