What is Morbid Obesity?

Morbid obesity is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time. An estimated 5-10 million Americans are considered morbidly obese. Obesity becomes “morbid” when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases (also known as co-morbidities) that can result either in significant physical disability or even death.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The definition of morbid obesity is based on a person’s body mass index. Body mass index is a way to measure a person’s size which takes both weight and height into account.

You can calculate your own BMI using a few simple steps on a calculator:

› Multiply your weight (pounds) times 703
› Divide that number by your height (inches)
› Divide that number by your height (inches) again

You can also calculate your BMI online by clicking here.

What does your BMI mean? A person is considered overweight if his/her BMI is more than 25, obese if BMI is more than 30, and morbidly obese if BMI is more than 40.

Risk of health problems

Obesity is known to increase a person’s risk of many health problems (known as “co-morbidities”). Below is a list of some of the more common co-morbidities associated with obesity.

› Diabetes (high sugar)
› Hypertension (high blood pressure)
› Degenerative joint disease (arthritis)
› Sleep apnea syndrome (health problems related to snoring)
› Gallstones
› Female menstrual irregularities
› Heart disease
› Lung disease
› Certain cancers

Morbid obesity can also be related to problems with a person’s psychological well-being. For example, people who are morbidly obese may become depressed or have a sense of helplessness about their weight problem.

Risk of death

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of death from all causes, and this risk increases as a person’s weight (BMI) increases. This is especially true for people in the morbidly obese category (BMI more than 40).

Social and economic impact

Severe obesity can also limit a person’s access to everyday comforts and activities that many people take for granted. The small seats in airplanes and movie theaters are good examples of this. People who are morbidly obese are often the subject of inappropriate looks and comments from other people. This type of behavior can have a major impact on a person’s social and work life, and can even lead to job discrimination.

If you or someone you love is morbidly obese, please call us at (828) 327-9178 to get a full assessment of your condition. Weight loss surgery may be an option for you.