Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and around the world. Roughly half of all Americans are obese, and about 15 million Americans fall into the category of being morbidly obese.
Given how prevalent this is, you might be wondering: Am I morbidly obese or just a bit overweight? The answer might surprise you.
The Body Mass Index
The primary tool for determining whether or not someone is overweight, obese, or morbidly obese is the body mass index, or BMI. The BMI looks at both weight and height and what would be considered a healthy mass for someone of a given gender at their size.
Ultimately, BMI alone is not a perfect measure, as someone who is densely muscled might be classed as obese despite being very healthy. However, it is a solid starting point in understanding your weight and the risks associated with it.
Morbidly Obese BMI
You can calculate your BMI easily using any number of free online calculators. However, if you want to do it manually, the formula is as follows:
Divide your weight in pounds by height in inches squared and multiply by a conversion factor of 703.
If you have a result of 25 to 29.9, you are considered to be overweight. While this is cause for concern, simple changes to your diet and exercise routine should help. If it is 30 to 39.9, your BMI is in the obese range. This is an indication that you need to make significant changes now to prevent yourself from incurring serious damage to your health.
What is considered morbid obesity? Once your BMI tops 40, you are considered to be morbidly obese. This means that you are carrying enough excess weight that it is considered a great and immediate threat to your overall health and wellbeing.
Why Is Being Morbidly Obese Problematic?
There are many conditions that can develop due to morbid obesity or be exacerbated by it. Excess weight stresses all the systems of the body, from the cardiovascular system to the skeleton.
If your BMI is 40 or higher, you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, and even certain types of cancers. You can expect your joints to become stressed and painful, and you might even need to get them replaced. Getting the excess weight off is essential to your quality of life.
Combating Morbid Obesity
The first steps in addressing morbid obesity are eating better and exercising regularly. However, for many individuals, once they clear that 40-BMI mark, diet and exercise alone will not deliver the right results.
One of the best options to consider is bariatric surgery in Mexico. While this is more invasive than just changing your habits, when combined with lifestyle alterations, it delivers significant results. Whether you want bypass or gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, with the correct procedure, you can reclaim your life. Contact us to learn more.
