What is Morbid Obesity?

Morbid Obesity
Philosophically, the term “morbid obesity” means being overweight to the point that it is detrimental to your health. Medical terminology insists on precise definitions. Medical discussions about obesity utilize the “Body Mass Index (BMI)” to group people into categories related to overall size and the impact of their size on chronic medical conditions and even premature death. BMI takes into consideration height and weight.

Impact of Obesity
Obese people have higher rates of medical problems. 

•  BMI 18 - 25: Normal 
  
•  BMI 26 - 30: “Overweight” – start to see negative impact on overall health.
  
•  BMI 31 - 40: “Obese” – diseases requiring intervention (medications, etc.) start to accumulate.
  
•  BMI 41 - 50: “Morbid Obesity” – not only do diseases start to accumulate, but those “morbid” conditions also shorten lifespan.
  
•  BMI 50 and above: “Super Morbid Obesity” – continues shortening lifespan, but any medical procedure results in higher risks as well.

The data is clear that the risk/benefit equation of “operations versus nonoperative treatment” tips in favor of an operation at a BMI of 35 or greater. In fact, recent studies show that an operation may even be the preferred treatment for people with type 2 diabetes with a BMI between 30 and 35. (Confirmation studies are ongoing in this lower BMI group.)

For the first time in the history of the United States, the current generation of teens and preteens are predicted to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. This decrease in life expectancy is directly due to obesity.