Morbid Obesity
Morbid obesity can be defined as severely overweight, greater than 100 pounds above "ideal body weight". Scientists use another measure called Body Mass Index or BMI to define obesity. BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI is 24 at ideal weight, but over 35 in the morbidly obese.
In the United States, severe obesity is common, affecting approximately 15.6 million adults between the ages of 20 and 70, according to the 2000 US Census estimates. Prevalence estimates, using NHANES III data obtained a few years previously, are 2.8% for US adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 40, and 8% for those with a BMI greater than or equal to 35. (Reference: ASBS Rationale for the Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity)
This condition results from a combination of factors, including genetics, emotional trauma, environmental influences, and poor dietary habits. Actually, excessive food intake is only one small part of the obese person's dilemma. A more important factor may be the complete absorption of food eaten, along with the efficient storage of these "extra" calories as fat. Decreasing physical activity may also contribute to continuous weight gain. This cycle is often established early in life and usually is not due to glandular disorders. Since the pattern of food processing by the body has a genetic basis, multiple members of a family may become obese.
Physicians recognize the numerous health problems associated with obesity including high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, diabetes, degenerative arthritis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflex, urinary stress incontinence, menstrual irregularity, infertility, carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer), sleep apnea, pseudotumor cerebri, psychological/sexual dysfunction, social discrimination, as well as premature death. For the individual, excess weight can also interfere with social and personal relationships causing emotional distress. He or she may feel unattractive and have poor self-esteem. Additional stress may be experienced repeatedly as contact with physicians for any medical problem often prompts comments relating body weight to health.
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