What Is Morbid Obesity?If you're considering weight loss surgery, you may have heard the term morbid obesity used. Some insurance companies list morbid obesity as a requirement for coverage and some bariatric surgeons will only operate on someone who is considered morbidly obese. What is the difference between obesity and morbid obesity? Obesity refers to the condition of having an excess of body fat. Morbid obesity is when the condition of obesity has reached the point of causing significant health problems or an increased risk of healthy problems that may cause chronic illness or premature death. Morbid obesity is generally defined as having a BMI of 40 or higher. A person is also considered morbidly obese if they have a BMI of 35 or higher and has been diagnosed with comorbidities, obesity related health conditions. Common comorbidities include:
People who are morbidly obese are advised to talk to their doctor in order to manage their comorbidities and discuss potential weight loss options. Research has shown that weight loss surgery can reduce or completely resolve these health problems, even before significant weight loss is achieved. Your doctor may also want to rule out underlying health problems that could be contributing to your obesity. |
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