About Obesity
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat beyond what is considered healthy for a person’s frame. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, having a body mass index (BMI) that is 20% or more above the ideal level (an ideal BMI is around 22) is considered harmful to health. Obesity rates are rising globally and represent a major health concern in even in developing nations. In the Philippines as well, the growing influence of Western-style eating habits has led to a clear increase in the number of people with obesity.
What Is Severe Obesity?
Severe obesity is typically diagnosed when a person has a BMI of 35 or higher. This condition is viewed as a serious illness that requires medical attention and should be treated as a critical health issue.
BMI is determined by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).
▶ BMI calculator (IFSO BMI calculator)
Enter your height and weight to assess your obesity level.
What Leads to Severe Obesity?
Obesity results from multiple factors and is not solely caused by overeating. Research suggests that genetics may be a fundamental cause of severe obesity.
People with severe obesity tend to have a significantly shorter average lifespan. Those who weigh more than double their ideal body weight face a mortality rate twice that of non-obese individuals. Moreover, their risk of dying from diabetes or a heart attack is estimated to be five to seven times higher. In the United States, over 400,000 deaths annually are attributed to obesity.
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
1) Increased heart strain
As the body gains excess fat and grows larger, the network of capillaries also expands. This forces the heart to pump blood over greater distances, placing extra stress on it. Obesity also raises the likelihood of worsening conditions like dyslipidemia (high blood fat levels) and arteriosclerosis.
2) Joint and back problems
When walking, the knees endure a force equal to two to three times body weight. Excess weight greatly increases pressure on the knees and hips, which can lead to problems such as knee osteoarthritis.
3) Sleep apnea
Fat buildup around the neck can narrow the airway, which is a known contributor to sleep apnea syndrome.
4) Lifestyle diseases
Often referred to as “metabolic syndrome,” obesity can contribute to high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels, among other health issues.
Treatment Options for Severe Obesity
Standard medical treatment typically involves lifestyle modification programs focused on diet and exercise. However, many patients do not see lasting results, and even when weight loss is achieved, it is often difficult to maintain over time. This is especially true for those with severe obesity. Repeated cycles of weight loss and regain from extreme dieting—known as “yo-yo dieting”—can seriously harm health.
There are also anti-obesity medications, but they may come with strong side effects, modest weight loss results, and a high chance of regaining weight once the medication is stopped.
For individuals with severe obesity who do not respond well to medical treatment (meaning they cannot achieve adequate weight loss through non-surgical methods), surgery is the only option proven to offer long-term effectiveness. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks of complications, but remaining severely obese is known to carry significantly greater health risks.