Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center: How Obesity Affects Your Health
Obesity is one of the greatest risk factors for disease in the United States. An issue that plagues both adults and children, obesity health risks threaten the livelihood of friends, family and communities. Learn about problems related to obesity and how they may affect you.
What is Technically Obese?
Obesity is determined by reviewing your BMI or body mass index. A trained health professional will use a BMI calculator to determine your current BMI by comparing your height and weight to accepted averages for your gender. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. For example, someone who is 5'8" tall and weighs 200 pounds is considered obese with a BMI of 30.4.
There are different classes of obesity as well. A BMI of 30, but less than 35, is considered class 1 while a BMI of 40 or more is considered class 3. An individual is considered morbidly obese if their BMI is greater than 40; they are 100 pounds or more overweight and are experiencing negative health effects. In addition to health risks of obesity, risks of morbid obesity include the inability to function at home, work or school leading to disability, financial issues and reduced quality of life.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity can be caused by a variety of factors, from physical inactivity to medical conditions. Many people with a family history of obesity are considered at greater risk of becoming obese.
Causes of obesity include:
- Lack of exercise. Between sedentary jobs and failure to stay active during personal time, both men and women become obese after long periods of little to no physical activity.
- Eating habits and food choices. Frequent eating or eating when you feel like it versus when you're actually hungry is a common cause of obesity. Also, making poor food choices by choosing foods high in simple carbohydrates and fat contributes to the development of excess weight.
- Medications. Certain medications, such as therapeutic medication to treat mood disorders, high blood pressure or seizures, can have weight gain as a side effect. Over time, increased weight gain turns into obesity.
- Medical conditions. Conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing's syndrome contribute to increased weight gain and obesity.
It can also be argued that social and mental factors play a role in the development of obesity. Individuals who are depressed may not have the motivation to exercise or eat healthy foods. Additionally, individuals who lack financial resources may not have the resources to consistently make healthy food choices.
What Are the Medical Hazards of Obesity?
The medical hazards of obesity threaten your overall quality of life and may lead to premature death. Some of the medical conditions caused or worsened by obesity include:
- High blood pressure
- Gallbladder disease
- Physical pain and decreased mobility
- Stroke
- Liver disease (fatty liver)
- Respiratory distress
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Type II diabetes
- Swelling in extremities
- Cancer
- Blood clots, particularly in the legs
Other Problems Related to Obesity
As a society, obesity poses great risks to many aspects of life. Obesity leads to higher healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, more disability claims and contributes to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Many individuals who are obese feel isolated from others, express a lack of self-confidence and feel as though they are unable to complete basic activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing and housekeeping.
Get Help with Obesity Today
If you or someone you love feels they may be obese and need help or you want to learn more about obesity health risks, partner with the compassionate, skilled professionals at Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center today to discover available treatment options. We know that struggling with obesity is tough and the medical hazards of obesity are frightening. We're here to help. Contact us today at (703) 709-9771 to schedule an appointment.
