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, and a lower quality of life with fewer economic and social opportunities.
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.
- By 2010, it is projected that there may be 31 million American adults living with morbid obesity who may qualify for bariatric surgery based on NIH guidelines.
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