Welcome to Obesity Guide
Obesity Statistics Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Obesity Surgery – A Last Resort?
from:If a specially designed diet or exercise plan is not successful for an obese individual, obesity surgery may be the correct option. The correct surgery in the right situation can be a life-saving decision. But most medical professionals and counselors will advise this path only as a last resort.
The World Health Organization notes that a person is obese if there is accumulation of fatty tissue more than two times the standard. However, a more specific indicator is available so that the individual and medical advisers can determine if obesity surgery is right for their particular situation. These guidelines can help individuals and medical personnel deal with this growing health risk.
How do medical researchers and doctors determine who is obese and who might be a candidate for obesity surgery? The goal is to measure the amount of fat in the body. The most commonly used method is body mass index (BMI). It is the method most widely used by researchers to set obesity levels, and is determined by dividing a person’s weight by height.
For example, a person 70 inches tall (5’10”) who weights 270 pounds has a BMI of 39. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (sections of the National Institutes of Health) identify overweight as a BMI of 25 to 29.9 and obesity as a BMI of 30 or greater.
Candidates for obesity surgery include those who have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 to 40 and a health risk such as type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea. Surgical choices include: restrictive surgery that limits food intake; malabsorptive procedures that isolate the small intestine from the digestive tract; and a combination of the two types. Medical professionals are now advising against malabsorptive operations due to the risk of severe nutrition deficiencies.
A particular type of surgical procedure of the restrictive type is called lap band surgery. The idea behind the operation is to create a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach, thus limiting food intake. With this laparoscopic procedure a band device is put in place through tiny incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach.
Humans and other mammals have a natural energy reserve stored in the fatty tissue. Basically, we need a certain amount of fat as stored energy and for insulating the body. But this condition can increase to the point where it becomes a health concern. Too much fat can lead to serious health problems. Studies have also indicated that obesity in America contributes to almost as many deaths each year as tobacco use does. This fact leads many to choose obesity surgery if other options cannot give the desired results.
Obesity Statistics News
Future heart-health alarm rises with new statistics on kids - Los Angeles Times
Future heart-health alarm rises with new statistics on kids Los Angeles Times American adolescents already carry a heavy burden of future heart disease risk, and while obesity has contributed mightily to their poorer health prospects, normal-weight kids are by no means off the hook, a study produced by the Centers for Disease ... |
Rising diabetes rates among overweight teens could lead to heart problems ... - CBS News
 CBS News | Rising diabetes rates among overweight teens could lead to heart problems ... CBS News And an even larger proportion of obese adolescents have such a risk, according to the alarming new statistics. US obesity epidemic at standstill, CDC says Type 2 diabetes tough to treat in overweight teens, study shows Why calories count: 10 common ... Rising diabetes rates among teens could lead to heart problems, researchers say Obese Teens Heart Risks Obesity, sedate lifestyles drive diabetes crisis |
Schools awarded $25K for helping kids move - CNN
Schools awarded $25K for helping kids move CNN It's almost unbelievable when you know the statistics -- that one in six US children are obese, that nearly one-third are overweight, and that these rates are even higher for Hispanic children (of whom Miami has a high population). |
Nutrition camp offers health education; arts, culture too - Clarksdale Press Register
Nutrition camp offers health education; arts, culture too Clarksdale Press Register Mississippi ranks near the top of national obesity statistics, but officials with Clarksdale School District are hopeful that a nutrition camp that will debut this summer will help encourage healthy eating habits and reduce waist sizes of the city's ... |
WHO warns of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity - Chicago Tribune
 CTV.ca | WHO warns of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity Chicago Tribune "Today, half a billion people - or 12 percent of the world's population - are considered obese," said Ties Boerma, the WHO's director of health Statistics and information systems. The highest obesity levels are in the Americas, where 26 percent of ... UN: High blood pressure, glucose a global problem Non-Communicable Diseases Cause Most Deaths Worldwide High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Are Global Health Threats |
Dr. Manoj Jain: Culture change on obesity will take time - Memphis Commercial Appeal
Dr. Manoj Jain: Culture change on obesity will take time Memphis Commercial Appeal It was not a reaction to the Grizzlies' Game 7 loss to the Clippers, but Chris Peck's scathing must-read commentary on Memphis being the national hub for obesity and our lack of concern about it. I will not pain you with many statistics like: one in ... |
Obesity Statistics: 42% Of America Obese By 2030 - The Inquisitr
 The Inquisitr | Obesity Statistics: 42% Of America Obese By 2030 The Inquisitr The report, which was released at the CDC's Weight of the Nation conference, was conjured by various authors who collaborated in an effort to analyze data collected from every state, which was then used to project the aforementioned obesity statistics. 42% Of Adults Will Be Obese By 2030, But Not Because They're Stupid Or Lazy Let's stop cycle of youth obesity 42% of nation to be obese by 2030, study predicts |