Obesity and the number of people dying from obesity are rising to a pandemic proportion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.8 million people die yearly from obesity-related illnesses and diseases, such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
There is a significant impact of obesity prevalence on the increase in COVID-19 mortality. see Obesity & COVID 19
This is what led Dr. Michael Feiz, a bariatric surgeon, to conduct a study on the current obesity mortality rates and how weight loss surgery has a positive effect. The findings were published in the August 2013 issue of The American Journal of Public Health.
About BMI
There are three indices used to measure overweight/obesity in disease control studies:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Waist Circumference (WC)
- Waist to Hip Circumference Ratio (WHR)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is most commonly used to measure adult body fat. BMI is simply a formula based on height and weight. WHO organization defines overweight as a Body Mass Index of more than 25 and obesity as a Body Mass Index of more than 30.
About the Study
This study examined how many people died from morbidities associated with obesity in the United States. It’s found that 1 in every five deaths was related to obesity, which is a staggering number. Dr. Feiz noted that he has seen how positive of an impact weight loss surgery can have on the individual and their family as they move forward with their new healthy lifestyle, lose weight, encourage loved ones to follow in their footsteps, and even save their lives.
Obesity-related conditions that are the biggest concern are Type II Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks. He believes much of this can be resolved with the help of bariatric surgery. The research also showed that some groups have a higher risk of obesity-related death, including 26.8 percent of black women dying from being obese. Caucasian women are not far behind at 21.7 percent risk.
Additional Research Information
Aside from the lower mortality rate that weight loss surgeries offer his patients, Dr. Feiz also used this study to look at safer alternatives. Most notably, he mentioned minimally invasive procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy or lap band, which are done laparoscopically. These have significantly lower side effects or long-term adverse effects after surgery than other types of bariatric surgeries. From Dr. Feiz’s weight loss surgical office in Beverly Hills, CA, he currently has a zero mortality rate among his patients who have had bariatric surgery performed.
Conclusion
It is important for individuals within the obese or higher body mass index (BMI) range to consider weight loss surgery. It has minimal side effects and exceptional success rates for weight loss and long-term health benefits. It reduces your risk of an obese-related death due to cardiovascular problems, like high blood pressure or heart disease.
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