Lipedema and obesity: What's the difference?

Lipedema is often confused with lymphedema or obesity. The World Health Organization defines obesity based on Body Mass Index (BMI), which you calculate by dividing your body weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. A BMI over 30 kg/m2 indicates obesity, while a BMI over 25 kg/m2 signals overweight. However, for diagnosing lipedema, the Waist-to-Height (WtH) ratio is a more crucial indicator than BMI, as it helps identify the shape disproportions characteristic of lipedema.

In obese patients, the presence of excessive fat is associated with significant risks to their health: Overweight and obesity can lead to chronic diseases of the heart and the cardiovascular system, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and also an increase the risk for some cancer types.

• Lipedema: Almost exclusively occurs in women.
• Obesity: Occurs in both men and women.

• Lipedema: Often associated with hormonal changes, like puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause, and phases of weight gain.
• Obesity: Can develop early in childhood or later in life and is not limited to a certain age group.

• Lipedema: Many lipedema patients report similar signs and symptoms in other female family members.
• Obesity: Family history is often a contributing factor.

• Lipedema: Typically affects both legs symmetrically, or less frequently, the arms. The hands or feet are not affected. Enlargement of the legs often results in shape disproportion – a narrow waist and larger hips and thighs.
• Obesity: Affects the whole body, usually symmetrically.

• Lipedema: The affected limbs are often tender, sensitive, or painful.
• Obesity: No specific signs, especially no pain.

• Lipedema: Overweight, limited social life, mental distress (incl. chronic stress, depression, and anxiety), joint problems, failed diets.
• Obesity: Significant health risks: chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, heart, diabetes, degenerative disorders of the joints.

Although lipedema and obesity are two different diseases, they often occur together. Experts report that up to 85% of lipedema patients are obese. Obesity in lipedema patients also increases the risk of developing lymphedema. Diagnosing lipedema and distinguishing it from lymphedema or obesity can be challenging, especially when two or more conditions coexist.