Mujeeb Siddiqui, DO, a surgeon with Premier Metabolic and Bariatric Associates, says the exact reason for obesity in America can be hard to pinpoint, but there are certain factors that come into play.
“There isn’t just one thing that causes obesity,” says Dr. Siddiqui, who practices with Premier Health Specialists. “Everything from poor eating habits, lack of exercise, genetics and socioeconomic standing can play a role in whether a person gains weight and struggles to lose it. All of these issues are present throughout America, but in some areas of the country, it can be stronger.”
Still, the main cause of weight gain is food consumption which seems to be a conspicuous aspect of American culture. Cheap, fast food that is high in calories and low in nutrition is readily available from restaurants to corner gas stations. And most social gatherings involve food or drinks, Dr. Siddiqui says.
The basic measure of obesity is the body mass index, or BMI, which takes a person’s weight and height into account. The BMI number is used to rank individuals into categories including overweight, obese, morbidly obese, and even super obese. Individuals whose BMI is between 18 and 25 are considered a normal weight. Those who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered overweight. Obese is a BMI between 30 and 35 and severely obese are those with a BMI between 35 and 40. Those with a BMI above 40 are considered morbidly obese.
“The higher the BMI, the greater risk a person is for health complications. Studies have also shown us that it places a person at a higher risk for early death,” Dr. Siddiqui says. “What we often don’t take into account is that the weight a person gains isn’t just what we see on the outside. It also means there is added fat around a person’s internal organs, which can have a significant impact on how their body functions.”
Increased weight is closely related to a person’s risk of developing many diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, coronary artery disease, and cancer. It is estimated that nearly 78 million Americans are at-risk for these types of diseases, the report says.
Weight loss can help a person reduce their risk for developing diseases and may also cause many existing diseases to go into remission. However, for most individuals, losing weight can be an incredible struggle, Dr. Siddiqui says.
“Behavior modification helps a person lose some weight, but not a lot of weight. So, this can be good news for someone who needs to lose 15 to 30 pounds, but if you need to lose 80, 90 or even 100 pounds it can be difficult,” he says. “We are talking about asking someone to make a radical change such as eating less than 1,200 calories and working out about one hour each day. Studies have shown that 97 percent of those who are successful in losing weight through behavior modification alone often gain their weight back within a few years.”
The answer is to offer another tool to individuals. Dr. Siddiqui says weight loss surgery can be the tool that provides the support needed to help someone see a radical change in weight loss. Weight loss surgery – regardless of which option is chosen – makes a structural change to a person’s body that forces them to live within certain guidelines, he says.
“It modifies someone’s anatomy in a way that helps them change how much they eat,” he says. “The symptoms someone would have to go through to eat more than they should are very unpleasant. This provides the boundary they need to eat healthy.”
The average person loses around 10 pounds a month or up to 120 pounds in one year following weight loss surgery. This amount of weight loss can have a significant effect upon a person’s health. Many see existing diseases – such as diabetes and hypertension – go into remission. Other health issues, such as sleep apnea, can be completely resolved, Dr. Siddiqui says.
“Every person’s journey of weight loss is different,” Dr. Siddiqui says. “But for many, weight loss can be a tool that makes the difference they desperately need.”
For more information on weight loss surgery or to find a Premier Health Specialists physician near you, visit www.premierhealthspecialists.org/weightloss.
ABOUT PREMIER HEALTH SPECIALISTS: Premier Health Specialists is one of the largest groups of specialty care practices in Southwest Ohio. More than 130 physicians serve patients in a variety of specialties such as bariatrics, breast care, burn and wound, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular-thoracic surgery, general surgery, gynecologic oncology, hand and reconstructive surgery, infectious diseases, maternal-fetal medicine, neurosciences, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery, orthopedic spine surgery, ophthalmology, palliative care, physiatry, plastic surgery, podiatry, psychology, pulmonology, sports medicine and urology. Premier Health Specialists is part of Premier Health, which includes Miami Valley Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital Dayton, Atrium Medical Center and Upper Valley Medical Center. For more information, visit http://www.premierhealthspecialists.org.
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