Obesity and its Risks

Definition
Obesity is defined by one's Body Mass Index (BMI) which is the primary method of assessing obesity. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters, squared.  The world Health Organization called obesity an "escalating epidemic."

Use the BMI calculator provided by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Risks of Obesity
There are more than 30 obesity related health risks. 

• Obesity is a known factor for osteoarthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder and liver disease, sleep apnea, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.
• Cancers of the breast, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and colon are more than twice as likely to occur in an obese person
• A BMI greater than 35 increases risk for diabetes 93-fold in women and 42-fold in men
• Obesity contributed to the death of an estimated 280,000 adults annually
• Obesity is one of the most common causes of preventable death in the U.S.
  

For more information about obesity and obesity treatments such as Gastric Bypass Surgery, visit the FAQ and Q&A Forum pages.