Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity – also called clinically severe obesity – is the most extreme form of obesity as it poses significant health risks and increases your chances of mortality. A person suffering from morbid obesity is usually 50% to 100% over their normal recommended weight. Their Body Mass Index (BMI) – the most accurate method to test amount of body fat - is 40 or more. It is known that this chronic disease doubles risk of early mortality. There is also a much greater risk – 5% to 7% - of an early death through other conditions such as a heart attack or diabetes. Also, if the condition is not seen medically, there is a high risk that it may not be treatable. Approximately 2% of Americans suffer from morbid obesity with 5 to 10 million living with the condition (National Institute of Health).

* Type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar could occur as many people become resistant to insulin.

* Heart disease. The excess weight can cause irreparable damage that may lead to a stroke.

* Respiratory problems. Asthma and sleep apnea are serious conditions that can result from breathing irregularities.

* Osteoarthritis. Pressure and too much weight on the joints can cause loss in bone density.

* Depression. The condition can bring on a feeling of failure and rejection.

* Incontinence. A heavy abdomen weighing on the pelvic muscles can weaken the bladder.

* Infertility and menstrual irregularities. Both male and female hormones can be drastically affected.

Diet and exercise are regarded as the best natural approach, but diets have proved not to be successful with a less than 5% success rate (National Institute of Health). Also, 80% regain their weight within one year. Drug therapy is an option, but as morbid obesity can be fatal, many turn to surgery. With surgery – called Bariatric – the stomach and intestine are made smaller to restrict food intake and so patients take in fewer calories. There has been some success with surgery and success is measured if the patient loses 50% of his/her body weight and can keep that off for 5 years.

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