Gross Obesity
See also:
Bariatric Surgery
What is it?
Gross obesity is defined as weighing more than twice your ideal weight or being more than 100 pounds overweight. The excessive weight threatens necessary body functions, such as respiration.
How does it occur?
Obesity occurs when the number of calories taken in is greater than the amount the body burns. The excess calories are stored as fat tissue. However, not all obese people overeat. They may have a slower rate of metabolism, which is the amount of energy needed to maintain the basic body functions when at rest.
What causes it?
It's difficult to pinpoint an exact cause. Genetic factors can influence how the body regulates appetite and the rate at which it turns food into energy. But, while heredity can be a contributing factor, there are other causes that should be considered. Unhealthy eating habits learned in childhood, low physical activity, hormonal imbalances, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, and anxiety, can contribute to obesity.
What are the symptoms?
Excess weight places an added burden on all body functions and puts you at a greater risk for serious illnesses. The most common complications include high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthriti, impaired functioning of the heart and lungs, gallbladder disease, and hyperlipidemia, resulting in heart disease and/or stroke. In men, obesity can lead to increased risk of colon, prostate, and rectal cancer. In women, obesity can lead to increased risk of breast, uterine, and cervical cancer. Emotional problems such as depression, anger, and anxiety may also result.
How is it diagnosed?
To evaluate gross obesity, your doctor will take a medical history and do a physical exam, comparing your weight to the body mass index (BMI). He or she may order tests of thyroid functions, electrolyte levels, blood glucose, cholesterol level, glucose tolerance, and urine. He or she may also want you to have an ECG (to measure your heart activity), oral cholecystogram or ultrasound (an x-ray procedure for examining the gallbladder and common bile duct), a mental health evaluation, and chest x-ray.
What is the treatment?
Any treatment depends upon your overall health. However, any treatment must result in life-long behavioral changes. You will need to look at what and how you eat, and begin a weight reduction diet based on low calorie foods. With the doctor's approval, you can begin a moderate physical activity program. Many people find weight loss support groups extremely helpful. If your doctor has concerns about any emotional problems, he or she may also refer you to a mental health professional for counseling. Surgery is only considered for people who have no serious medical or psychological problems and who have not been able to lose significant weight through low calorie diets and behavior modification.
Self-care tips
Follow a healthy, low fat diet. Keep a daily log of your physical activity and everything you eat and drink. Take advantage of weight loss support groups as a place to share your triumphs and setbacks.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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