Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 40 or more. For instance, a person who is 5 feet, 8 inches tall would be morbidly obese if he weighs 263 lbs. Also known as severe obesity or extreme obesity, morbid obesity causes a multitude of health problems and can shorten your life span. It can also cause psychological problems and lead to social discrimination.
Life-Threatening Effects
The morbidly obese are at a greatly increased risk of heart disease, which can lead to congestive heart failure and heart attack. Morbid obesity also puts you at a higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer's Disease, asthma and hypertension. If you remain morbidly obese, you face an increased risk of the following types of cancer: esophageal, ovarian, breast, rectal, prostate, cervical and uterine. According to the New York University Program for Surgical Weight Loss, type II diabetes is 10 times more common in the obese. The morbidly obese are frequently not candidates for surgery, leaving them vulnerable to many health conditions that could otherwise be addressed.
Other Physical Effects
Morbid obesity causes sleep apnea, which leads to daytime sleepiness and can lead to death in severe cases. If you have morbid obesity, you are at increased risk of snoring, osteoarthritis and infertility. A pregnant woman with morbid obesity faces an increased risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects. Morbid obesity can lead to gallbladder disease, stress incontinence for women, gastroesophageal reflux disease and venous stasis. Back and joint pain are common, as is fatigue upon exertion.
Psychological Effects
The morbidly obese face an increased risk of depression and often face social discrimination. Inability to find appropriate chairs in public, to be seated on an airplane, or to climb stairs can lead to embarrassment and social isolation. Anxiety and low self-esteem are more common among the morbidly obese. Morbidly obese children may be teased and taunted, stunting their emotional development.
Other Effects
Employment opportunities are often limited by excess weight. Some health insurance carriers charge increased premiums to the morbidly obese, if they cover them at all.
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