What is Obesity?
Severe obesity is a
chronic condition that is difficult to treat. A body mass index (BMI ) above 40
which usually means at least 100 pounds overweight for men and women indicates that a
person is severely obese. Your physician has probably called it morbid obesity. You may
calculate your BMI with this formula: weight in pounds x 705 divided by your height in
inches and divide that number by your height in inches again. The result of this
calculation is your BMI. People with a BMI of between 35 and 40 who suffer from
other medical illnesses can also be classified as suffering from severe or morbid
obesity
The Medical Complications of Morbid Obesity
 Degenerative Arthritis: A significant correlation between uric acid levels and weight has been
found. The chance of gout is dramatically increased when a patient's weight is greater than
130% above the desirable. Weight loss will markedly decrease the obvious mechanical
problem of stress on weight beating joints, that causes pain and loss of mobility it also
increases the chance of developing osteoarthritis. A significant correlation between uric acid levels and weight has been
found. The chance of gout is dramatically increased when a patient's weight is greater than
130% above the desirable. Weight loss will markedly decrease the obvious mechanical
problem of stress on weight beating joints, that causes pain and loss of mobility it also
increases the chance of developing osteoarthritis.
Diabetes: Even
moderate obesity causes a markedly increased risk of non insulin dependent diabetes.
Weight reduction not only leads to better control of his serious health problem but other
related ones such as stroke, heart attack, blindness and amputation. Even
moderate obesity causes a markedly increased risk of non insulin dependent diabetes.
Weight reduction not only leads to better control of his serious health problem but other
related ones such as stroke, heart attack, blindness and amputation.
Cardiovascular disease: It is calculated that for each 10% increase in body weight there is an
approximate 20% increase in the incidence of coronary artery disease. Blood pressure
increases 6.5 mm, cholesterol and glucose are both significantly increased.
Cancer: Morbidly
obese men have a significantly higher mortality rate for colorectal and prostate cancer.
Men who have a 130% over normal weight are 2.5 times more likely to die of prostate cancer
during a 20 yr. follow up compared to their normal weight peers. Menopausal women with
upper body fat have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Higher rates of uterine
and ovarian cancer are found in morbidly obese women. Morbidly
obese men have a significantly higher mortality rate for colorectal and prostate cancer.
Men who have a 130% over normal weight are 2.5 times more likely to die of prostate cancer
during a 20 yr. follow up compared to their normal weight peers. Menopausal women with
upper body fat have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Higher rates of uterine
and ovarian cancer are found in morbidly obese women.
Psychological: There
is no doubt that obese individuals have lifestyle restrictions. Mobility and physical
incapacity due to back /joint problems and shortness of breath are very common among the
morbidly obese individual. This can contribute to absenteeism and unemployment.
Impairment
of body image is a major form of psychological disturbance for the obese. Repeated failure
of diet and exercise to help their "problem" causes a feeling of despair and
depression. There
is no doubt that obese individuals have lifestyle restrictions. Mobility and physical
incapacity due to back /joint problems and shortness of breath are very common among the
morbidly obese individual. This can contribute to absenteeism and unemployment.
Impairment
of body image is a major form of psychological disturbance for the obese. Repeated failure
of diet and exercise to help their "problem" causes a feeling of despair and
depression.
Endocrine Abnormalities: Morbidly obese women have more irregularity in
menstrual cycles as well as more frequency of other menstrual abnormalities. There is also
a higher frequency during pregnancy of having toxemia and hypertension. The onset of
menarche is younger for obese girls.
Hypertension:
In overweight young adults, age 20-45, the occurrence of hypertension is 6 times that
of normal weight peers. Weight gain in young adult life is a potent risk factor for
developing hypertension in later life.
Pulmonary
Abnormalities: Pulmonary abnormalities are common in obese individuals. From the less
debilitating of decrease'in lung volumes and expiratory reserve volume, to the extreme of
patients with Pickwickian syndrome or somnolence and hypoventilation. Obese patients often
have disrupted sleep patterns from waking to "catch their breath".
Gallbladder
Disease: Obese women in the 20-30 year range have a 6 times greater expectancy of
developing gallbladder disease than their normal weight peers. Nearly one third of obese
women can be expected to have developed gallbladder disease by the age of 60. Fatty
infiltration of the liver is also associated with obesity.
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