What is Morbid Obesity?
The study found that the reduction in life expectancy associated with being extremely obese was similar to that seen in adults who smoke. And as a person’s obesity rises to higher levels, his or her expected life span falls below that of smokers.
Obesity could reduce of 10 years your life expectancy
A study has estimated very obese men aged 20 to 39, with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above, have a reduced life expectancy of ten years.
This is mainly as a result of their higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, but other factors come into play (discussed later in this article). For women of this age, the life expectancy is six years less.
Morbid Obesity is a Serious Health Condition
Morbid obesity is a serious health condition that can interfere with basic physical functions such as breathing or walking. Those who are morbidly obese are at greater risk for illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and cancer.
Morbid obesity is diagnosed by determining Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is defined by the ratio of an individual’s height to his or her weight. Normal BMI ranges from 20-25. An individual is considered morbidly obese if he or she is 100 pounds over his/her ideal body weight, has a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more and experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
What Causes Morbid Obesity?
When you eat, your body uses the calories you consume to run your body. Even at rest, the body needs calories to pump your heart or digest food. If those calories are not used, the body stores them as fat. Your body will build up fat stores if you continue to eat more calories than your body can use during daily activities and exercise. Obesity and morbid obesity are the result of too much fat being stored in your body.
Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can cause weight gain. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain, but can usually be managed so that they do not lead to obesity.
Fast facts on morbid obesity:
- The condition is characterized by having an extreme amount of excess body fat.
- A doctor diagnoses it with a physical exam plus some basic questions.
- For most people, morbid obesity is preventable and can be reversed.
How does morbid obesity differ from obesity?
A person can be obese without being considered morbidly obese. A person who is obese has a BMI of 30 or above.
Morbid obesity occurs when a person reaches a level of obesity that greatly increases the chances of developing one of these conditions.
These conditions are often referred to as comorbidities and are responsible for causing disabilities or even death
Is it possible to be healthy and have obesity?
Healthy and obese is not compatible! People with obesity 96% more likely to have heart failure.
Left untreated, a person with morbid obesity can develop any number of more serious health conditions. These conditions can be limiting and potentially fatal.
When treated, morbid obesity can be reversed, and the chances of developing other medical conditions are greatly reduced. But there is a long-term solution to reversing morbid obesity. Clic here to discover it.