Obesity Obesity

Obesity - When It's Too Much


There is a thin line between overweight and obese, yet there is a thin line to separate them. That is why it's important to know the difference especially when health is at stake versus neglect.

Obesity is a heavier problem compared to overweight. And most people don't see it; I mean, they see their figures ballooning yet think, 'I just have to lose some weight.' Yet this is not acceptable in all cases. Overweight people need to lose (only) about 10% of their excess weight to return to their normal weight as defined by standard height-weight charts. People who are considered overweight have not reached a weight high enough to qualify as being obese. This doesn't mean though that they're saved from the epidemic, for they're the closest candidates for obesity. All they have to do is gain an astonishing 20% more weight to be pronounced as obese. People suffering from obesity have a highly excessive amount of body fat in relation to their lean body mass. Over weight and obesity are both determined by this calculation commonly called BMI or Body Mass Index. And both conditions lead to entirely the same health complications. The only difference is the degree of intensity.

Obese individuals have a 50% plus increased risk of death from all related diseases as compared to overweights and to healthy normal-weight individuals. With obesity comes the increased risk for high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In addition, obesity has been linked to psychological disorders such as depression, low self-esteem, or feelings of shame, even suicidal tendencies. And if you think that things couldn't get any worse, consider 'morbid obesity'. First you're fat, then overweight, and then obese, next you're morbidly obese. In other words, you're life is threatened.

Morbidly obese individuals weigh from 50 to 100% percent more than their required normal weight - that is - 50 to 100 pounds heavier, and closing them to up to 100% life-threat due to all related diseases. Forget that they are discriminated against and verbally abused and are significantly hindered from accomplishing many of their day-to-day functions - this is a matter of 50/50 life-death.

Surgical procedures like gastric bypass and such, are seriously considered as the last weight control option for those who suffer from morbid obesity. Yet this remaining hope though has the possibility of causing the gravest complications that will cross-fingers against man's greatest fear.