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Recent
studies have shown that 55% of the American population
is overweight and about 10% is severely obese, and
the numbers are growing. There is not a specific
cause or reason for this health problem; instead,
it is the combination of several different factors.
Undoubtedly, genes play a big role in how an individual
metabolizes food. The social economic environment
plays a role in shaping an individual's lifestyle.
In the past few years, life has become more sedentary,
with the average person spending the majority of the
time working behind a desk and then coming home to
watch TV or surf the Internet. In addition to
an increasingly inactive lifestyle, it also has become
easier and easier for an individual to have access
to foods that are high |
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in calories, high in fat and have a high carbohydrate content.
The bombardment of advertisements for restaurants, fast
food chains, ready-made-pop-in-the-oven foods, and ice creams
makes it even more difficult for a person to restrain oneself
from eating those fattening, but tasty, foods.
Obesity is a SERIOUS health problem. The average life
expectancy for an obese person is 58 compared to the average
of 78 for non-obese men and women. Diabetes, cardiovascular
and respiratory problems, infertility, urinary incontinence,
knee and back pain, arthritis, high cholesterol, depression,
and increased rate of cancer are just a few of the health
problems associated with obesity (comorbid symptoms).
The death rate for a morbidly obese patient is 3% compared
to less than 1% for the average non-obese person.
Americans are aware of the health risks associated with
obesity. Each year Americans spend billions of dollars
on diets, exercise equipment, health and fitness clubs,
trainers, and drugs that promise the miracle of quick and
permanent weight loss. The sad truth is that only
5% of those who lose weight by dieting (if they indeed lose
weight) will keep it off for more than 5 years. The
vast majority will eventually gain back all the weight PLUS
an undetermined amount of extra pounds. At this point
in time SURGERY or Specifically Bariatric Surgery (obesity
surgery) is the only effective and definitive treatment
for severe obesity.
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