Morbid Obesity

What is a Morbid Obesity?

Morbid obesity is the extreme degree of obesity wherein health and quality of life are grossly affected. It is generally described by a very high body mass index of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. It increases the risk for a wide range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and lower life expectancy.

Morbid obesity is not an aesthetic problem; it is a serious medical, psychological, and social concern. Most individuals with morbid obesity face stigmatization and discrimination, which can lead to mental problems and further limit opportunities in many spheres of life. Treatment usually consists of combinations of medical, nutritional, psychological, and sometimes surgical interventions toward the aim of sustainable weight loss and overall well-being.

Why Do Individuals Develop Morbid Obesity?

Your body uses the calories you ingest to function when you eat. Calories are necessary for the body to digest food and pump your heart even while you’re at rest. The body stores those calories as fat if they are not needed. If you continue to consume more calories than your body can use from exercise and daily activities, your body will accumulate fat storage. The accumulation of excess bodily fat leads to obesity and morbid obesity.

Weight gain is some drugs, including antidepressants. Health problems like thyroid disease may contribute to increased weight, but they are usually managed to prevent obesity.

Who Could Develop Morbid Obesity?

Anybody who consumes more calories than their bodies can utilize can acquire weight and become obese.

A few studies According to a reliable source, genetic factors in the body’s energy storage system may be influenced by your trusted source. To learn more about the connection between genes and weight, more study is being conducted.

Obesity is also influenced by a variety of behavioral factors, such as your daily exercise level and eating habits. Many people struggle to maintain a healthy body weight as they become older because they developed their eating habits as youngsters. As an adult, you might not be as active at work and have less time for physical activity, meal preparation, and exercise.

Additional variables, such as stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep, may further lead to body mass gain. Quitting smoking frequently causes people to gain weight temporarily. Additionally, women may gain more weight during menopause or struggle to lose the weight they gain after pregnancy. While they can undoubtedly contribute to the emergence of morbid obesity, these factors do not always cause it.

Making a diagnosis of morbid obesity

Your doctor will examine you physically and inquire about your weight history and weight loss attempts. In addition to your medical history, they will question you about your eating and exercise habits.

Calculating BMI

The body mass index, or BMI, can be calculated with a calculator. The government department in charge of prevention and control of illnesses is one dependable source.

The following BMI ranges correspond to the following categories of obesity:

• underweight: under 18.5 percent
• normal: 18.5 to 24.9 percent
• overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
• obese (class 1): 30.0 and 34.9
• morbid obesity (class 2): 35-39.9

There are drawbacks to using BMI to diagnose obesity. The simplest way to determine the quantity of weight on the structure is to look at your BMI. For instance, because they have more muscle mass, athletes may weigh more. They may have a small amount of body fat but fall into the obesity or severe obesity BMI range. To determine your precise body fat percentage, your doctor may therefore employ further tests.

Problems Associated with Morbid Obesity

Obesity poses a health risk. If left untreated, obesity can result in additional serious health problems like:

• osteoarthritis
• heart disease and blood lipid abnormalities
• stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• sleep apnea (at the time) you frequently stop inhaling when they’re resting)
• reproductive problems
• gallstones
• certain cancers
• obesity hypoventilation syndrome
• metabolic syndrome

Treating Severe Obesity

The therapeutic options for morbid obesity are numerous.

Diet and Exercise

The best method for causing long-term weight loss is unknown, although regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for good health.

Learning stress-reduction techniques that can be applied in place of overindulging in food or snacking during stressful situations is also crucial.

To help you lose weight gradually through diet and exercise, you should collaborate with your physician and a nutritionist to establish reasonable goals. Finding support from friends, family, or your community to assist you achieve lifestyle changes that may result in long-term weight loss may be beneficial.

Weight Loss Drugs

Drugs for weight loss may be recommended in certain situations. Although these drugs may help people lose weight, most of them gain it back after stopping the drug. Numerous over-the-counter and herbal supplements make weight loss claims, but many of these have not been proven.

Surgery

If you have tried alternative weight-reduction strategies and have not been able to sustain your weight loss over the long term, surgery may potentially be an option to manage your obesity. It frequently lowers the risk of various conditions linked to extreme obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea.

You should consult your physician to find out if surgery is a viable option for you, as it may result in consequences. Two popular kinds of weight-loss surgery are as follows:

Gastric Banding Surgery

The surgeon will bandage the upper portion of your stomach during this treatment. Because you feel full after eating small amounts of food, this restricts how much you can consume at once.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

By removing a section of your stomach and small bowel, the procedure will alter the way food passes through your digestive system. Taking fewer calories is going to make you feel more full.

Preventing Morbid Obesity

Obesity and morbid obesity are dangerous diseases that can be fatal. Preventing obesity requires a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Diet and Exercise

Morbidly obese people should steer clear of “fad” diets and instead concentrate on altering their eating habits. Among the recommendations are:

• Increasing your consumption of vegetable and fruit products
• eating smaller meals
• count calories
• eating mindfully
• limiting saturated fats, trans fats, and refined sugars

Exercise is beneficial to general health and is particularly crucial for weight loss. You must engage in moderate-to-intense activity for more than three hours a week to start losing weight. Your heart rate increases dramatically when you engage in vigorous activity. Before starting any rigorous fitness regimen, make sure to see your physician. Beneficial physical activity examples include:

• running or jogging
• swimming
• jumping rope
• brisk walking
• biking

FAQs

References

• Slightham, C. (2022, January 19). Morbid obesity. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/weight-loss/obesity
• Fletcher, J. (2023, November 13). What you should know about morbid obesity. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320460
• Obesity. (2024, November 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity
• Defining Morbid Obesity BMI at UPMC Hamot – Erie PA. (n.d.). UPMC | Life Changing Medicine. https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/hamot/services/bariatric/defining-obesity