What is Obesity

What Is Obesity?

According to the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, morbid obesity is a serious disease with symptoms that build slowly over an extended period of time. Today, over 283 million Americans, approximately two-thirds of the adult population, suffer from weight related health conditions.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) define morbid obesity as:

• Being 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight.
• Or, having a BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) of 40 or greater
• Or, having a BMI of 35 or greater and one or more co-morbid conditions.

The disease of morbid obesity often interferes with basic physical functions such as breathing and/or walking. Long-term implications of the disease include shorter life expectancy, serious health consequences in the form of weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and a lower quality of life with fewer economic and social opportunities.

Obesity is a serious public health issue in the United States. Approximately 24 million U.S. adults are living with morbid obesity and may qualify for bariatric surgery based on NIH guidelines. By 2010, it is projected that there may be 31 million U.S. adults living with morbid obesity.

Co-morbid Conditions:

Morbid obesity brings with it an increased risk for a shorter life expectancy. A co-morbid condition is a health condition related to a primary disease such as obesity. The presence of obesity increases the risk of a number of medical conditions, including cancer. There are many health conditions related to morbid obesity which can significantly reduce life expectancy. Some of the most common are:

• Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, amputation of extremities, and nerve damage.
• Heart disease, such as hardening of the arteries, heart attack and angina.
• High blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss.
• High cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
• Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with high blood pressure and cardiac dysrhythmia.
• Acid reflux/GERD, which can lead to esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma).
• Cancer, breast, colon-rectal, pancreatic, gynecological, etc.
• Depression
• Osteoarthritis and joint pain, which can lead to loss of mobility.
• Stress urinary incontinence.
• PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
• Female reproductive health disorder, which can lead to infertility and sexual dysfunction.

Also, there is emerging body of literature demonstrating relationships between maternal obesity and structural birth defects.

These conditions occur more frequently in people with morbid obesity. Mortality rates from many of these conditions are also higher among people with morbid obesity.