Obesity
“Obesity” means you have too much body fat. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 70 million Americans are obese. In Tennessee, more than 1/3 of the population is obese.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30. The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. To learn your BMI, use the BMI calculator on the Home page.
Obesity Related Diseases
Obesity increases the risk of many dangerous conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, arthritis, infertility, depression and some cancers. Losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.
Morbid Obesity
Morbid obesity or “clinically severe obesity,” is typically defined as having a BMI of 35 or higher. Obesity becomes “morbid” when it significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health condition -also known as “co-morbidities” – that result in significant physical disability or even death.
Weight Loss Management and Obesity
Our Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Mark Colquitt discusses advances in weight loss management and the impact of weight loss medications on obesity. The interview aired on “Living East Tennessee” on WATE TV-6.