Understanding Obesity
Obesity is a disease. It is one of the most debilitating diseases plaguing Americans today. Approximately 300,000 Americans die each year from obesity and obesity related diseases. 80% of the morbidly obese are women. These numbers continue to climb yearly despite the billions of dollars spent annually for weight loss plans, products, gym memberships, appetite suppressants, and dietary supplements, etc. The statistics are grim for sustained weight loss from conventional methods. The average diet effort is sustained for approximately a 2-3 month period with a gradual return to pre- diet weight.
Approximately 300,000 Americans die each year from obesity and obesity related diseases.
Obesity may not be solely caused by over eating. It can involve multi faceted causes. Over eating or eating the wrong foods can be coupled with genetic makeup, decreased metabolic rates, psycho-social elements and more. It is estimated that a child of an obese person will be obese at a younger age than the parent and may surpass the parent's weight.
Obesity can cause or contribute to most of America's major health problems. Cardiovascular, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, gastric reflux, gout and arthritis. It has also been found to contribute to breast, uterine, ovarian, prostate, colon and kidney cancer. The above is a representation of just some of the problems caused by obesity. Obesity can cause many psycho-social issues. In many cases the obese person is looked upon with disgust. They are made to feel like second rate human beings. This can be brought on by the way society looks at the obese person, as a weak willed, lazy person that won't push the plate away. These feelings may lead to alienation and in some cases, people segregate themselves from society, never leaving the confines of their homes.
Obesity is diagnosed by calculating the person's body mass index (BMI). This is achieved by measuring the height against the weight of the person. A BMI of greater than 30 but less that 40 is considered obese. A BMI of >40 or greater is considered morbidly obese. Many patients begin having co-morbidities prior to reaching a BMI of 40. Once the person acquires the co-morbidity it generally worsens as the BMI climbs.
In 1991 the National Institute of Health determined that patients with a BMI >40 are clinically severely obese and are at the highest risk of morbidity and mortality. These patients are potential candidates for treatment by surgical procedures.
Surgery for the morbidly obese is the only weight loss method that has proven to be effective over a long period of time. Statistics show that 90% of patients generally loose >70% of excess weight and at 5 years or greater maintain a 50%+ excess weight loss.
For the morbidly obese patient with co-morbidities present obesity surgery is a viable alternative to traditional weight loss methods. The patient should be furnished with all the information available in order to make an informed decision on whether or not if weight loss surgery is an option for them.
