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Introduction to Obesity
Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder of humans in the western hemisphere. It is also one of the oldest documented health problems afflicting mankind.
Obesity has an adverse impact on the psychological and physical well-being of those affected. The magnitude of the obesity problem in America has lead to a staggering array of purported treatment programs. “Miracle” diets lead this list. Unfortunately, diet programs have been very ineffective. Currently, bariatric (obesity) surgery is the only therapy with proven long-term success. Fortunately the actual risk of surgery has been quite low compared to the risks of remaining morbidly obese.
Obesity becomes a significant health hazard when it exceed 20% of lean body weight. The health risk increases progressively with increasing excess body weight. People who are significantly overweight spend more time in hospitals and have a much shorter life-expectancy. In addition to many physical problems, obesity has detrimental psychological effects. Obesity has negative social impact, affecting personal relationships as well as professional success.
Dangers of Obesity
The precise biochemistry of obesity is unclear, but scientific research has clarified many aspects of this disease. Although diet might play a casual role in cases of mild obesity, the views that morbid obesity is caused by excessive eating is simply not true. If a ratio of body weight to calorie intake is calculated, that is pound for pound, obese patients actually eat much less food than a normal weight person. There appears to be a unique functional ‘set point” in each individual which predetermines the “comfortable” weight zone. If this “set point” is in obese zone, the body will strongly resist an artificially lower weight (such as dieting might achieve). The “set-point” is a pre-dominantly an inherited trait.
Obese parents have a 73% chance of having obese children. Although normal weight parents can have obese children, this occurs infrequently. Although some medical conditions can cause moderate obesity (thyroid problems, adrenal problems, pituitary disease, etc…), these diseases do not lead to massive obesity. |
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