A DISEASE CAN BE NEITHER HEALTHY, NOR BENIGN

Abstract

At least three papers have been published by Diabetologia [1-3] regarding a hypothetic obesity syndrome called “obese but metabolically healthy” (OMH or MHO), the last in the April issue of the Journal: “Effects of lifestyle intervention in metabolically benign and malign obesity”. A wave of interest and satisfaction has been propagated among some obese people and perhaps among some doctors. Clinical feeling told me that something illogic and maybe wrong is included in associating obesity (an obvious metabolic disorder) with the terms “healthy” or “benign” (if not benefic).

Several questions must be raised. The first is related to its prevalence, approximated to ~ 30% of all obese patients and 10% of the whole adult population.