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Morbid Obesity

Obesity is a result of extreme accumulation of fats in the body's physical and skeletal standards. The National Institute of Health states that more than twenty percent addition the ideal weight is considered not healthy. Presently, nine million American right now are affected with morbid obesity.

Factors Affecting Morbid Obesity

There are many factors which results to morbid obesity. Some of the known factors are:

  1. Genetic Factors
  2. Environmental Factors
  3. Metabolism
  4. Medical Conditions

Genetic Factors

Scientific studies show that genetic factors play a key role in gaining excessive weight. Certain studies show that an adopted child may not have the same body weight of his or her adoptive parents though they are living with them. Ironically, their weight is somewhat still correlated to their parents whom they really never met.

Likewise, identical twins that carry the same genes show similarity of body weight compared to fraternal twins who carry different genes with them.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors like presence of fast foods and suburban neighborhoods will likely to affect the lifestyle and eating patterns of morbidly obese person. If he or she tend to stay long in a pc with no exercise regime, then, it is likely that the person will gain weight over time.

Metabolism

Metabolism affects how the people easily gain weight. Taking in more calories without burning it will likely to result to loose weight. However, if you cut in too much calories abruptly, you will likely to gain back the weight you had lost.

Medical Condition

Medical condition like hypothyroidism can result to weight gain. Therefore, it is recommended that you work with your doctor to treat underlying conditions for your weight gain.

Obesity Statistics

Various methods are used to determine if someone's weight is normal or overweight. BMI is an index of weight adjusted for the height of an individual. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by height in meters squarred.

  • Any BMI > 40 is severe obesity
  • A BMI of 40.0 - 49.9 is morbid obesity
  • A BMI > 50 is super obese

BMI: less than 18.5: Underweight

BMI: 18.5-24.9: Normal weight

BMI: 25.0-29.9: Overweight

BMI: 30.0-34.9: Class I obesity

BMI: 35.0-39.9: Class II obesity

BMI: over 40: Class III obesity

Morbid Obesity Risks

Morbid obesity can cause medical risks and health related problems. Some of the well known medical risks of morbid obesity may include:

  • Heart disease
  • High cholesterol
  • Asthma
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Blood clots
  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Gastric reflux
  • Fatty liver
  • High triglycerides
  • Infertility
  • Back pain
  • Menstrual problems
  • Skin infections
  • Swelling of the legs
  • Infections of the skin
  • Gallstones
  • Immobility
  • Cancer
  • Obstetric problems

Morbid obesity may also affect emotional health. Some of the emotional problems that come with morbid obesity may include:

  • Social phobia
  • Depression
  • Despair
  • Loneliness
  • Frustration
  • Embarrassment
  • Low self esteem


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