Obesity vs Morbid Obesity

It’s important to know the difference between obesity and morbid obesity. Both are critical factors for health, with both posting the risk for health complications. Yet, there is a difference between these levels of being overweight.

What Is the Difference Between Obesity and Morbid Obesity?

Being “obese” means a person has a body mass index (BMI) that is over 30. This is a measurement of your weight based on your height. A person who is “morbidly obese” has a BMI of 40 or higher and is more than 100 pounds overweight.

What Does Morbid Obesity Mean?

Sometimes referred to as Class III obesity, morbid obesity is a complex and chronic health condition. Many people at this point are experiencing health complications. Some of the most common include Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Even if you do not have known health complications yet, they could develop because the risks are significantly higher.

Can Morbid Obesity Be Treated?

The simple answer to this is yes, morbid obesity can be treated. However, treatment requires more significant measures to provide an individual with the ability to lose weight. For example, a person who is more than 100 pounds overweight may have mobility challenges. Their heart and lungs are already strained from the excessive weight, and adding more stress from a fitness routine may not be ideal.

More so, those with this condition may have a number of other physical and mental health challenges limiting them. Tackling these needs can be as challenging.

Weight Loss Surgery Offers a Potential Solution

For some people, the best route to treating morbid obesity is to seek out weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery. This is a step towards health because it creates a physical restriction within the body that limits a person’s ability to consume as much and may limit the amount of food absorbed during the digestion process, forcing the body to burn stored fat.

For many people, bariatric surgery is the best – and only – treatment option to create effective, long-term results fast enough to minimize health risks. If you are facing these challenges, you do not want to wait long to seek help.

Learn More About Treatment Options

If you’re struggling with being overweight and unsure what to do, Dr. Mark Colquitt and the expert team at Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons in Knoxville, TN can help you embrace a healthier future. The first step is to watch our free Bariatric informational seminar at Get Started.

Questions about the bariatric process? Reach out to our experienced team at (865) 984-3413.

Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons is a division of Premier Surgical Associates and partners with Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville, TN.