Obesity or morbid obesity is a chronic health disorder caused by too much body fat. Obesity is diagnosed using the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated from body weight and height. The BMI value is checked by your doctor during the consultation and compared with age and gender-dependent limit values. Generally speaking, it can be said that a higher BMI usually indicates a higher body fat percentage. A BMI calculator for self-checking is available on the Internet at BMI - Adipositas Gesellschaft (adipositas-gesellschaft.de).
Obesity is a disease that adversely affects health in several areas. It is the cause of numerous secondary diseases that affect various organ systems in the body.
The causes are complex and cannot simply be attributed to a lack of willpower and self-control. Obesity is usually caused by a combination of genetic predisposition, an unfavourable diet and a lack of exercise. Overweight and obesity occur when the body absorbs more calories than it burns over time. However, some people gain weight more easily than others.
In extremely rare cases, obesity can also be caused by a classic hormonal disorder or hereditary diseases. Your doctor will examine your child in consultation and, if necessary, initiate special investigations.
Obesity can also be caused by the side effects of certain medications, e.g. those used for seizures (epilepsy) or rheumatic diseases. In these cases, a change in treatment can sometimes have a favourable effect on body weight.
Our knowledge of the causes of obesity has grown considerably in recent years. For example, we have gained valuable insights into how fat cells, the gastrointestinal tract and the brain jointly control the feeling of satiety, energy consumption and thus also body weight via hormones. The Hormone Centre at the University Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine is actively researching these topics. If your doctor refers you to one of our research projects during your consultation, we would be delighted if you would participate and support us.
In most patients, obesity-promoting living conditions and polygenetic changes (several genes are affected) are mainly responsible for the development of obesity. Monogenic forms, in which defects (mutations) in a single gene are the cause of obesity, are very rare. In affected patients, extreme obesity accompanied by an insatiable feeling of hunger (hyperphagia) already occurs in early childhood. There are a number of genes that are associated with monogenic obesity. Most of these genes have an important function in the regulation of hunger and satiety and are part of the so-called leptin-melanocortin signalling pathway in the central nervous system. Examples include the gene for leptin (LEP), for the leptin receptor (LEPR) or for proopiomelanocortin (POMC). The most common cause of monogenic obesity is defects in the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene.
If monogenic obesity is suspected, molecular genetic diagnostics should be carried out after consultation with Prof Dr Martin Wabitsch. Further information on molecular genetic diagnostics can be found here.
To date, there are only treatment options for a few forms of monogenic obesity. For patients with a defect in the leptin gene, there is the option of leptin replacement therapy using a recombinant human leptin analogue (metreleptin). Patients with a defect in the LEPR gene or POMC gene have the option of treatment with the MC4R agonist setmelanotide. Our section is one of the few specialised centres worldwide that has been successfully carrying out leptin replacement therapy and setmelanotide therapy for many years.
In addition, we conduct clinical and basic science experimental research projects to identify other genes that cause extreme early childhood obesity.
Further information can be found under Clinical Studies and Experimental Research.
Extreme obesity is a serious chronic disease and requires multidisciplinary care. Unfortunately, there are no simple solutions or medications that can cure obesity. However, there are effective treatments that support children and adolescents with obesity and their families to favourably influence their body weight. A successful long-term treatment for obesity must consist of permanent changes in diet and physical activity in everyday life. In addition, there are new drug treatment options that can support weight regulation in adolescents with obesity.
New drug treatment options: Incretin mimetics
Incretin mimetics are drugs that delay gastric emptying and provide a feeling of fullness. They therefore support weight regulation and contribute to weight loss and stabilisation. They are the first group of drugs to be approved for the treatment of obesity in young people. However, treatment with incretin mimetics is not yet a standard therapy, which means that the costs are not yet covered by health insurance companies. Your doctor will review this treatment option during our consultation and, if necessary, provide you with detailed information about the treatment option.
- Improving quality of life
- Weight stabilisation
- Avoiding secondary diseases
- Change of perspective - Focusing on individual strengths
-Advice on individual diet and exercise optimisation
- Recognition and treatment of comorbidities
- Selection of suitable treatment options
- Support in applying for family assistance
Consultation hours
Training programme for children and young people with obesity
We offer a one-year outpatient training programme for children and adolescents with obesity aged 8 to 16. The "Obeldicks" training programme is an evidence-based therapeutic measure, is carried out on an interdisciplinary basis and actively involves the parents and family. Further information is available during consultation hours or by calling 0731-500 57401.
What causes severe overweight (obesity)? Is being overweight (obesity) bad for your health? What new treatment options are available? What are the treatment goals? The problem of stigmatisation. Prof. Dr Martin Wabitsch, Head of the Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology Section at the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Ulm University Hospital, will talk about these and other topics. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion. The information event is aimed at children and adolescents with severe obesity, parents and grandparents, doctors and therapists and all interested parties and those affected. We look forward to seeing you!
Event overview:
Severe obesity in children and adolescents - current treatment options
- Date: Thursday, 30 January 2025, 6.00 - 7.00 pm
- Location: Conference room of the Clinic for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / digital via Webex
Signposting to the conference room can be found at the entrance to the clinic. You will receive the access data for the Webex event after your registration.
- Free participation
- Please register by email to with the following details:
Please register by email to:
sekretariat.pedu@uniklinik-ulm.de
Please state the
- names of the persons participating and whether you
- participate on site or via Webex.
Questions about the event can be sent to the email address provided.
The training is recognised by the Baden-Württemberg Medical Association with 1 training point (FP) in category A for the training certificate.