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 The health of millions of people worldwide is being threatened by an obesity epidemic. Only in the United States, an estimated 97 million adults are overweight or obese. That is 55% of the American adult population. Despite the growing obesity awareness, there has been a considerable increase in the number of seriously overweight, or severely obese, people all over the world.
Obesity, Its Health Risks, and Common Weight-Loss Methods
Obesity is an excess of total body fat, which results from caloric intake that exceeds energy usage. The most common measurement for obesity is Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing body weight (lb.) by height in inches squared and multiplying that amount by 704.5. The metric calculation for BMI is kg/m 2.
While BMI does not actually measure body fat,it tends to correlate well with the degree of obesity. Thus it should not be used alone for diagnosis, but can be useful as a general guideline.
The ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m 2. The obesity categories adopted in 1998 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are::
- BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m 2 - Overweight
- BMI 30 to 34.9 kg/m 2 - Obese
- BMI 35 to 39.9 kg/m 2 - Severely Obese
- BMI 40 kg/m 2 and up - Morbidly Obese
Morbid obesity may considerably reduce life expectancy and is associated with an increased risk of developing conditions or diseases such as diabetes, stroke, respiratory problems, sleep apnea, hypertension and cancer. Sufficient weight loss is important for improving your health, reducing your risk of developing associated conditions and enhancing your overall quality of life.
Millions of people turn to diet, fitness and medication first to treat their obesity. However, the National Institutes of Health report that 90% of the people who participate in diets and weight-loss programs do not lose significant and sustained weight. If non-surgical methods have not helped you lose weight and keep it off, you still have another option. Studies demonstrate that weight-loss surgery, as compared to non-surgical treatments, yields the longest period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed other therapies.
A variety of operations have been developed to aid in long-term weight loss, including Gastric Bypass, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty and Gastric Banding. Individuals with a BMI of 35 or more with obesity-related health problems may be considered candidates for weight-loss surgery.
For more information about obesity and the LAP-BAND System, please download this PDF file
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Obesity Solutions 
