TOFI syndrome, also known as "hidden obesity", is a metabolic disorder in which large amounts of fatty tissue accumulate in the organs of the abdominal cavity, not directly under the skin. That is why people with TOFI syndrome are seemingly thin and obese on the inside. How is TOFI syndrome diagnosed and treated?

Contents:

  1. TOFI syndrome - what is it?
  2. TOFI syndrome - causes
  3. TOFI syndrome - symptoms
  4. TOFI syndrome - consequences
  5. TOFI syndrome - treatment

TOFI syndrome - what is it?

Nameof the syndrome - TOFI- is an abbreviation from the English language, from the first letters of the words: " thin outside - fat inside ", i.e. thin on the outside and obese on the inside. The TOFI syndrome is when the body stores fatty tissue, not under the skin, but in the center of internal organs and in the spaces between them. Thus, people with TOFI syndrome, although their body weight is normal, their internal organs are very fat.

TOFI syndrome - causes

The development of "hidden obesity" is mainly caused by improper nutrition - eating meals too high in trans fats and saturated fats and simple carbohydrates (e.g. products with sweeteners), but also eating meals at incorrect times - e.g. avoiding breakfast in favor of hearty dinners.

TOFI syndrome - symptoms

TOFI syndrome occurs when the body fat content is over 20-25 percent. in men and over 30-37 percent. in women. TOFI syndrome is very difficult to diagnose because it is not visible and does not cause any ailments. The thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and the adipose tissue of the internal organs can be properly examined only with the help of computed tomography and the so-called DEXA1 method (1 DXA - English:dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ) allowing for automatic calculation of the mass and volume of adipose tissue around the abdomen. A simpler, but not so reliable, method is a blood test - blood count, lipid profile (LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides), glucose and insulin. If the level of any of these components is abnormal, consider further diagnosis for TOFI syndrome. Especially when you notice that despite your slim figure, a lot of body fat accumulates around your waist and neck.

TOFI syndrome - consequences

The fat that builds up around and inside your internal organs is so much moreharmful than the fatty tissue stored under the skin. It sends chemical signals to the brain that lead to insulin resistance and inflammation in the blood vessels. As a result, slim people with TOFI syndrome are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases that are complications of obesity than people who are visibly overweight and obese.

Internal fat can lead to the development of such serious diseases, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, pancreatic diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular diseases and infarction.

TOFI syndrome - treatment

In the therapy of "hidden obesity", as in the case of visible obesity, a proper diet and physical activity are of key importance - individually matched to the condition and needs of the patient. The diet should not be too restrictive, but exclude trans and saturated fats, sugar, sweets and sweeteners and alcohol, limit fruit consumption, and increase the amount of raw, cooked, baked or cream soups. It is necessary to control the number of calories delivered with meals daily in order to maintain a proper, i.e. zero energy balance. If you consume the same amount of calories with food as you lose by moving around (e.g. home and professional activities, exercising, playing sports), you will have no problem with TOFI.

You must do it

Are you obese?Do you use the services of medical facilities - medical advice, procedures and operations, diagnostic tests?Take part in the first Polish social survey showing how obese people are treated by medical facility personnel.Go to: http://www.ebadania.pl/95480862786a9667 The researchers are: The Obesity Patients FoundationOD-WAGAand the Department of Sociology of Medicine and Social Pathology of the University of Gdańsk Medical. Poradnikzdrowie.pl is the partner of the campaign.

Important

Poradnikzdrowie.pl supports safe treatment and a dignified life of people suffering from obesity. This article does not contain discriminatory and stigmatizing content of people suffering from obesity.

About the authorMagdalena Gajda A specialist in obesity disease and obesity discrimination of people with diseases. President of the OD-WAGA Foundation of People with Obesity, Social Ombudsman for the Rights of People with Obesity in Poland and a representative of Poland in the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity. By profession - a journalist specializing in he alth issues, as well as a PR, social communication, storytelling and CSR specialist. Privately - fromin childhood, obese, after bariatric surgery in 2010. Starting weight - 136 kg, current weight - 78 kg.

Category:

Obesity