About Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity is defined as a disease in which fat has accumulated to the extent that health is impaired.

Obesity occurs when an individual’s body weight is in excess of the healthy range for their height leading to a high percentage of body fat.

Obesity is commonly measured by body mass index (BMI), which calculates the relationship of weight to height. An adult with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

Who is Affected by Obesity?

Australia is today ranked as one of the fattest nations in the developed world. The prevalence of obesity in Australia has more than doubled in the past 20 years.

Too many Australians are at high risk of serious diseases and premature death because of excess body weight or obesity.
  • Over 66% of Australian adults are either overweight or obese and alarmingly, 
  • 23% of children younger than 16 are either overweight or obese.

How Does Obesity Affect You?

Obesity substantially contributes to
  • preventable, non-communicable diseases, 
  • shortened life-expectancy and
  • impaired quality of life.
Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions such as 
  • Type 2 Diabetes, 
  • Heart disease, 
  • Hypertension, 
  • Stroke, 
  • Musculoskeletal disorders and 
  • Impaired psychosocial functioning.
Obesity is now challenging smoking as the major cause of potentially preventable death in Australia.

Changing Perceptions

Before

In the past, obesity was seen as a weakness or failure of the individual. Diet and exercise were prescribed treatments and weight loss surgery viewed as dangerous and extreme.

Today

Now, obesity is considered a disease and the cause of many serious health conditions. Obesity is no longer considered a cosmetic issue due to eating too much. The World Health Organisation (W.H.O) from 2013 recognizes obesity as a chronic progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors.

Weight Loss Surgery has gained acceptance as a proven method to treat this disease. But surgical treatment is not for all obese patients.

What are the Causes of Obesity?

Weight gain and long-term obesity can be caused by a number of factors:
  • Genetics
  • Lack of exercise
  • Overeating
  • Poor diet

Symptoms of Obesity

Clinical obesity and weight gain can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Some symptoms or side effects of obesity include:
  • Low back pain or Backaches.
  • Feeling tired all the time.
  • Heavy sweating.
  • Joint pain (especially weight-bearing knee and hip joints).
  • Low confidence or self-esteem.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Snoring or Sleep Apnoea.

Obesity Diagnosis

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most commonly used method for determining a patient’s weight category. The BMI is calculated by measuring the height and weight of the patient.

Other methods for diagnoses include:
  • Blood tests.
  • Physical exam.
  • Review of family history.
  • Waist measurement.
A GP may ask additional questions about your lifestyle and any potential underlying health issues.

Classification of Obesity

Morbid obesity, also referred to as “clinically severe obesity” or “extreme obesity,” was defined as the criteria for bariatric surgery by the 1991 NIH Consensus Conference Statement on Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity as a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m^2^ or a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m^2^ in the presence of high-risk comorbid conditions.

Obesity was further classified in the 1998 NIH Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults into Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Category BMI Range
Normal Size 18.9 to 24.9
Overweight 25 to 29.9
Class I, Obesity 30 to 34.9
Class II, Serious Obesity 35 to 39.9
Class III, Severe Obesity 40 and greater

Why Treat Obesity?

If left untreated, obesity can lead to a number of serious health issues including:
  • Arthritis
  • Certain cancers
  • Coronary heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Psychological conditions
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Sleep apnea
  • Stroke
  • Type two diabetes

Obesity Treatments

There are a number of options available for those who want to treat their obesity:
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Medication
  • Behavioral modification
However - for individuals suffering from obesity or long-term issues associated with excess weight, Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery is the only proven long term effective treatment.