Obesity is no longer considered a cosmetic issue that is caused by overeating and a lack of self control. The World Health Organization along with National and International medical and scientific societies, now recognize obesity as a chronic progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors.
The disease of obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat.
The Body Mass Index is one measure used to define overweight and obesity and considered a more accurate estimate of body fatness.
Do I qualify for surgery?
Overweight is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher and extreme Obesity is a BMI of 40 or greater. Extreme obesity is often referred to as Morbid Obesity due to associated health risks.Most insurance companies will require documentation of a co-morbid condition for a BMI of 35 – 39.9 to qualify for bariatric surgery.
Do-morbid conditions include, but not limited to:
- Type II diabetes
- Hypertension
- Sleep apnea
| Status | BMI |
| Very severely underweight | 15 |
| Severely underweight | 15 – 16 |
| Underweight | 16 – 18.5 |
| Normal (health weight) | 18.5 – 25 |
| Overweight | 25 – 30 |
| Obese Class I (moderately obese) | 30 – 35 |
| Obese Class II (severely obese) | 35 – 39.9 |
| Obese Class III (very severely obese) | 40 |
Use the calculator below to determine your BMI.
Obesity and Prevalence and Rate of Occurrence
According to the WHO, 65% of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more than underweight. Approximately 500 million adults in the world are affected by obesity and one billion are affected by overweight along with 48 million children.
In the US, epidemiological data from an ongoing study show that 34% of adults more than 20 years old are affected by obesity and 68% are overweight. Obesity affects 10% of children between 2 and 5 years of age, 2% between 6 -11 years old and 18% of adolescents.
Throughout the last 20-25 years, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate.
Complications of Obesity
Obese patients have more risk for:
• Type II diabetes
• Joint problems
• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Gallbladder problems
• Psychological issues
• Infertility problems
• Incontinence
• Certain types of cancer
• Digestive disorders, such as GERD
• Breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea or asthma
Risks to psychological and social well-being:
• Discrimination
• Social isolation
• Negative self-image
• Difficulty with day to day living
• Body movements are more difficult
• May become short of breath with minimal exertion
• Public transportation
• Difficulty maintaining personal hygiene
• May avoid medical care
Treatment Option
The non-surgical treatments that have been regarded as the conventional methods to achieve weight loss, are:
• Diet
• Medication
• Exercise
Unfortunately, research has shown that people with a BMI greater than 35 generally fail to produce permanent weight loss. With the above mentioned methods, several studies have shown that weight loss is approximately 10% of their body weight, and tend to regain two-thirds of it back within one year and almost all of it within five years.