Understanding Obesity
Obesity is a disease of excess fat storage with a number of associated diseases known as co-morbidities. Obesity is a serious disease with symptoms that build slowly over an extended period of time. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines morbid obesity as:
- Being 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight, or
- Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or
- Having a BMI of 35 or greater and one or more co-morbid condition
The disease of morbid obesity interferes with basic physical functions such as breathing or walking. Long-term implications of the disease include shorter life expectancy, serious health consequences in the form of weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, a lower quality of life with fewer economic and social opportunities and a higher risk of certain cancers including breast and colon.
Obesity is a serious public health issue in the US:
- 24 million American adults are living with morbid obesity and may qualify for bariatric surgery based on NIH guidelines.
- More than 31 million American adults are living with morbid obesity who may qualify for bariatric surgery based on NIH guidelines.
You can quickly check your BMI using the calculator on the right→
Click here to learn more about weight loss procedures »
Click here to download our full FAQ’s on Bariatric Surgery 
Dr. Oluseun A. Sowemimo’s Webinars
Dr. Sowemimo hosts a series of webinars that center around Weight Loss Surgery.
Click here to watch and listen to our prior webinar »
