Stabilni izotopi 2H i 18O u dijagnostici i istraživanju pretilosti

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting in negative impact on an individual’s health and shortened life span. One of the most important problems in the diagnosis and study of obesity is the selection of the best methods for its determination. Using water labeled with stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (2H and 18O) it is possible to accurately determine the share of adipose tissue in body mass and reliably determine total energy expenditure of the organism in a continuous period of several days. The use of 2H and/or 18O is of special importance in clarifying the pathophysiology and etiopathogenesis of obesity as well as in monitoring the metabolism of lipids, particularly fatty acids and triglycerides. Application of the method in which water labeled with isotopes 2H and 18O is used does not require the hospitalization of participants, is suitable for field research on a large number of subjects, and is applicable to all age groups. Despite many advantages, the methods in which 2H and 18O labeled water is used for the study of obesity are still not common in Croatia. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the Croatian medical profession, as well as other interested scientists and experts with the methods, in order to successfully follow global trends in the approach to the problem of excessive body weight and obesity. In addition, the paper critically discusses some other methods that are commonly used in the diagnosis and study of obesity.