[The place and role of physical activity in the treatment of obesity].

Treatment of obesity should primarily include diet and physical activity. Increased physical activity increases energy consumption with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic-endocrine systems. It is of utmost importance to point out that simultaneous changes in physical activity and diet decrease both the total body fat mass and the viscelar fat.

[Fever of unknown origin--a case report of brucellar discitis].

Introduction: Febrile episodes of unknown origin lasting for two weeks require detailed investigation by various medical specialists. Fever of unknown origin is most commonly caused by infections, malignancy, colagenosis and in 5-10% of cases, despite detailed diagnostic assessmnet, the cause remains unknown. In cases of fever of unknown origin, the diagnostic procedures are difficult and complex.

[Characteristics of arterial hypertension in obesity].

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is the most frequent cardiovascular disease in obese persons, progressing with time to left ventricular hypertension, often associated with dilatation, diastolic disorders, hearth rhythm disturbance, and generalized atherosclerosis.

Etiology: The origin of this disease is related to hemodynamic disturbances (increased blood volume, minute volume, mainly due to increased stroke volume) accompanied with changes of peripheral resistance, which increases in a later phase. However, metabolic factors are presently considered as primarily responsible for appearance of hypertension, which has rightly obtained the attribute of metabolic hypertension.

[Development and differentiation of adipose tissue].

Introduction: For years adipose tissue has been considered inert, serving only as a depot of energy surplus. However, there have been recent changes, undoubtedly due to advancement of methods for studying the morphology and metabolic activities of adipose tissue (microdialysis and adipose tissue catheterization). In normal-weight subjects, adipose tissue makes 10-12% with males and 15-20% with females.

Body fat mass in normal weight subjects.

Obesity is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation which may lead to serious health problems and complications. Body mass index is the most optimal parameter to evaluate the level of nutritional status and diagnose obesity. However, modern techniques studying body composition can more accurately determine whether the gain of body weight was on the account of body fat, lean body mass or total body water.