Obesity Surgery

Obesity is a label or term for people that are significantly overweight and exceed the healthy weight range for individuals of a particular height.

It is important to note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include the statement that obesity is defined as a weight that is considered to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and health conditions.

The term obese has several levels, and they range from mildly obese to morbidly obese. An individual that weighs more than forty percent of the normal weight for a person of their height (morbidly obese) is almost twice as likely to die prematurely if they have been obese for more than ten years.

The following facts are among the reasons doctors are becoming more inclined to recommend obesity surgery to at-risk parents.

Rates of obesity

Despite ongoing efforts by many agencies the rate of both adult and childhood obesity is rising dramatically, especially in North America. It is estimated that there are over sixty million adults in the United States that are obese. This is roughly thirty percent of the adult population. In addition there are over nine million children between the ages of six and nineteen that are obese, and this number has tripled since the 1980’s.

Health risks associated with obesity

There are many different diseases and conditions that are statistically more prevalent in people that are obese. These conditions include:

• Hypertension
• Type 2 diabetes
• Osteoarthritis
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
• Gall bladder disease
• Sleep apnea
• Respiratory disorders
• Cancers (colon, breast, endometrial)

In addition to these conditions obese individuals often have mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and issues with self-esteem.

One of the greatest health risks for obese men and women is heart attack and stroke. These conditions are often symptoms of ongoing and long-term cardiovascular disease caused by insufficient exercise and other weight related factors. The obese individuals at greatest risk for heart conditions, as well as type 2 diabetes, are people that have excessive fat around their abdominal area.

Obese individuals are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes in their adult lives. The condition of diabetes has its own related complications such as kidney disease, stoke, blindness and foot and leg problems. While diabetes is manageable if treated, most diabetic adults are untreated, and may be unaware of the condition.

Osteoarthritis affects an individual’s joints, hips and muscles. While weight gain itself does not cause the condition the additional pressure and strain on the joints, especially the knees, ankles, hips and lower back can dramatically increase the symptoms and pain.

Sleep apnea is a respiratory condition that causes the interruption of breathing while sleeping. The individual actually stops breathing for short periods of time, and this can cause extreme fatigue during the day and may increase the risk of heart failure.

Research has shown that weight loss can improve these conditions and can prevent further development of the disease. It is important to be aware of the health risks that obesity poses and begin a routine to lose weight safely as soon as possible.

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