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Morbid Obesity Condition & Symptoms

It has long been said that Americans are becoming more overweight as the years go by. In fact, obesity has become such a common medical condition that most people don't even seek treatment for the problem. However, as obesity goes untreated, it often turns into morbid obesity, a serious medical condition that often leads to life-threatening diseases. Morbidly obese people suffer from serious physical complications, which may even lead to premature death.

  1. Morbid Obesity

    • The label "morbid obesity" is given to any person who is 50 to 100 percent above their ideal body weight. Essentially, anyone who weighs 100 pounds or more above their ideal weight is considered morbidly obese. Some doctors also use body mass index (BMI) to determine morbid obesity. In this case, anyone with a BMI of 40 or greater would be labeled as morbidly obese. Patients with a BMI between 30 and 40 are simply considered "obese."

    Causes

    • A variety of factors can influence the development of morbid obesity. Among these, caloric intake and genetics are among the most important. Typically, a morbidly obese person will regularly consume a significant number of calories each day. These calories are consumed at a rate that is far greater than the calories they are burning through physical activity or exercise. Many months and years of this practice will easily lead someone at a normal weight to being overweight, then obese, then morbidly obese. Heredity, or genetics, also plays a role in morbid obesity. In some cases, the condition of obesity runs in the family. In this case, family members should take extra precautions to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

    Poor Health

    • Morbid obesity affects both your physical health and psychological health. Physically, the significant amount of extra weight severely limits a person's mobility. Morbidly obese people often spend most of their time in a chair or bed, because they are unable to walk easily. This lack of movement leads to the weakening of muscles and skin irritations or sores. Pychologically, morbidly obese people suffer greatly. Emotional pain is one of the most common symptoms of the morbid obesity condition, and it often leads people to feel secluded, ashamed and depressed.

    Diabetes

    • Morbidly obese people are at a significant risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, compared to the risk of developing diabetes among individuals of normal weight, the risk of developing diabetes among morbidly obese people is tenfold. With type 2 diabetes, the body is either not producing enough insulin, or the body's cells are not responding to that insulin. When this happens, the body experiences a build-up of glucose in the blood. This back-up of glucose leaves your body's cells with a serious lack of energy. Over time, these glucose levels can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

    Life-Threatening Disorders

    • If morbid obesity goes untreated, it can lead to a variety of life-threatening diseases and serious medical conditions. Among these, some of the most serious risks to a person's physical heath include coronary heart disease, stroke, fatty liver, high blood pressure, cancer, gallbladder disease, and respiratory problems. Additionally, morbidly obese people are at a far greater risk for premature death.

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