A person who is morbidly obese is severely overweight. The extra weight puts extra stress on all of the body's systems, which makes morbid obesity a major health concern because bodily systems can't work at the extreme capacity required to support a morbidly obese body. It is imperative that a morbidly obese person begin living a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible to minimize the risks associated with this condition.
Causes
Morbid obesity is a condition that develops over a period of time. The Memorial Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Center states that genetics, a slow metabolism, eating disorders and environmental factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle and eating fast food, can contribute to this condition. As with any weight gain, morbid obesity can occur when the caloric intake is significantly greater than the caloric output for a prolonged period of time.
Classification
A person is considered morbidly obese when his body mass index, or BMI, is 40.0 or greater. A person with a BMI of 35.0 or higher and a definitive diagnosis of obesity related health conditions is also considered morbidly obese, states Highland Hospital. Additionally, any person who is at least 100 pounds over his ideal body weight can be classified as morbidly obese.
Risks
There are numerous risks associated with morbid obesity. Health risks include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, respiratory complications, gallbladder disease and sleep apnea, according to the Obesity Action Coalition. There is also an increased risk of some cancers, including breast cancer and colon cancer. A diminished quality of life and mobility problems are also associated with morbid obesity. Death due to health complications is also possible. As the patient loses weight, the risk of these conditions is reduced.
Solutions
Weight loss is the only way to reduce the risks associated with morbid obesity. Behavioral modification, prescription medications and bariatric surgery are ways that a morbidly obese person can lose weight. Behavioral modification includes eating a healthy diet and starting an exercise program. These may be done at home or in a weight loss center. Prescription medications can help to jump start weight loss but aren't considered a long term solution to correct morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery, such as gastric banding or gastric bypass, can help the morbidly obese to lose weight in a timely manner. Some physicians recommend a liquid diet using special supplements in conjunction with other weight loss methods.
Warnings
A morbidly obese patient must be willing to stick to a healthy lifestyle if she wants to keep the weight off once it is lost and reap the health benefits of the weight loss, states Baylor College of Medicine. Without a proper support system and motivation, there is a chance that the patient will fall into old habits of eating unhealthy foods and slacking on exercise programs. Gaining weight for a person who is morbidly obese raises the health risks associated with the condition.
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