A National Health Problem

“Obesity is now recognized as a disease by itself. It is a principle cause of many non-transmissible diseases, diabetes type-II, coronary disease, stroke, predisposes to various types of cancer, gallbladder diseases, musculoskeletal afflictions, and respiratory problems.”

- World Health Organization, June 1997 -

Statistics:

  • Nearly 25% of American children and adolescents are overweight. This is double the percentage from 30 years ago.
  • Excessive body fat is an independent risk factor for approximately 30 serious, if not life threatening, disorders.
  • Overall healthcare costs for obese adults have risen to $258 Billion.
  • The multi-factorial nature of obesity has rendered most therapeutic interventions unsuccessful in the long term.
  • Obesity is influenced by culture and environment.
  • Obesity is influenced by hormones.
  • Obesity is influenced by our diet and lifestyle.
  • Type II Diabetes-As many as 90% of individuals with type II diabetes are reported to be overweight or obese.
  • Hypertension- 75% of hypertension cases are attributable to obesity.
  • Arthritis- 24% of all osteoarthritis is attributable to obesity.
  • Gallbladder Disease- 30% is attributable to obesity.
  • Cancer (Breast, Colorectal, Endometrial)- 11% (breast and colorectal), 34% (endometrial) is attributable to obesity.
  • Cardiovascular Disease-17.3% is attributable to obesity.
  • Sleep Apnea and Infertility are associated with obesity.

Society:

  • Obesity is often viewed as a result of weakness of character.
  • Discrimination against the obese, socially and economically, is accepted and widely practiced.
  • Obesity is associated with lower socio-economic status.
  • Many facilities, furniture and equipment are not suitable for the obese.
  • Obesity affects mobility, physical, emotional and social functioning.
  • These effects are magnified in the severely obese.
  • The Quality of Life of the severely obese has been documented as similar to that of hospitalized patients or those with other serious medical conditions.

Where to learn more about obesity

In 1991, the National Institutes of Health issued a Consensus Statement about surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Other web sites that may be of interest:

LapBandTalk.com - A web site for those who have had Lap-Band surgery or who want Lap-Band surgery. Person to person chat groups.

Shape Up America - An organization founded by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop focusing on the problem of obesity as a serious medical and public health problem.

American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) - The professional association for bariatric surgeons.

Gastric Surgery for Severe Obesity - The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (USA).

Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier life!
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