Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in our society, and it is also becoming a global concern.
Numerous news features, medical reports and studies have recently increased our awareness of the widespread phenomenon of obesity, and the health problems that are associated with it.
Obesity-related health issues are abundant, ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure to heart disease, not to mention the psychological aspect of emotional difficulties that can result from a negative self-perception.
Overall, the plethora of negative effects on the human body and the mind as a result of obesity are overwhelming and can be devastating.
According to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), an individual is considered severely or "morbidly" obese at 50-100 percent above his or her ideal body weight.
That also includes those who are over 100 pounds of his or her ideal body weight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 9 million Americans are considered to be morbidly obese.
There are many factors in the cause of obesity.
Genetics or "hereditary" causes; caloric intake that far exceeds the physical activity necessary to burn off excess; environmental causes (quality and quantity of food available in conjunction with a sedentary lifestyle); and physical and mental illnesses are some of the main culprits.
Most of the time when an individual considered morbidly obese seeks help, the physician initially recommended that he or she try conventional weight loss methods.
Usually various combinations of diets and increased physical activity eventually leading to consistent exercise are given a try.
Diet drinks or diet pills are also tried by many, often times with negligible results.
When it comes to the use of conventional weight loss methods for those considered to be morbidly obese, the failure rate is pretty high, and these folks need help beyond what they might be able to accomplish on their own.
At this point, bariatric weight loss surgery and consultation with bariatric surgeons may be considered as an option.
Numerous news features, medical reports and studies have recently increased our awareness of the widespread phenomenon of obesity, and the health problems that are associated with it.
Obesity-related health issues are abundant, ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure to heart disease, not to mention the psychological aspect of emotional difficulties that can result from a negative self-perception.
Overall, the plethora of negative effects on the human body and the mind as a result of obesity are overwhelming and can be devastating.
According to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), an individual is considered severely or "morbidly" obese at 50-100 percent above his or her ideal body weight.
That also includes those who are over 100 pounds of his or her ideal body weight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 9 million Americans are considered to be morbidly obese.
There are many factors in the cause of obesity.
Genetics or "hereditary" causes; caloric intake that far exceeds the physical activity necessary to burn off excess; environmental causes (quality and quantity of food available in conjunction with a sedentary lifestyle); and physical and mental illnesses are some of the main culprits.
Most of the time when an individual considered morbidly obese seeks help, the physician initially recommended that he or she try conventional weight loss methods.
Usually various combinations of diets and increased physical activity eventually leading to consistent exercise are given a try.
Diet drinks or diet pills are also tried by many, often times with negligible results.
When it comes to the use of conventional weight loss methods for those considered to be morbidly obese, the failure rate is pretty high, and these folks need help beyond what they might be able to accomplish on their own.
At this point, bariatric weight loss surgery and consultation with bariatric surgeons may be considered as an option.