June 19, 2008

Morbid obesity affects approximately 9 million Americans and it is on the rise and an increasing problem for our society. It negatively affects those that suffer from it medically, emotionally and even socioeconomically. If you are over 100 pounds overweight or have a BMI (body mass index) of over 40, you are considered morbidly obese. The chances of premature death are quite high in comparison to those at normal weight. This has been shown to be the case statistically, but it is also a logical outcome of its association with so many medical conditions. If there is any good news here, it is that effective treatment for a morbidly obese person can lessen these risks dramatically.

The health conditions which are associated are quite varied and the list of problems that are treated by physicians crossover between numerous medical specialties. Perhaps the most directly associated problem is diabetes mellitus. In fact, effective treatment, as I have seen as a physician, may be dramatic. The dramatic nature of the improvement that can be seen with weight reduction is such that I have been able to tell a gentleman I saw recently that if he visited a new physician who had no knowledge of his having diabetes, that physician would not find diabetes if the standard blood tests he ordered on his new patient’s were performed. Cardiovascular problems are also quite prominent with morbid obesity. High blood pressure is a condition which is known to be associated with the development of heart disease and stroke. Another piece of good news, however, is that with weight reduction, high blood pressure can be effectively treated. The effectiveness of losing weight in treating high blood pressure may be such that if the patient had been taking medication, the weight loss may normalize the condition so that medication was no longer necessary. High cholesterol is clearly associated with morbid obesity and this is yet another condition that can be so effectively treated with weight reduction that may enable the person to discontinue medication for the condition. Of course, for the discontinuance of medication to be able to be maintained, the person would need to maintain their weight loss and associated lifestyle factors that would go along with keeping the excess weight off. Morbid obesity has been statistically associated with an increased incidence of cancers including cancers of the prostate, uterus, colon and breast. These are some of the most common cancer conditions which afflict our population and effective treatment of obesity would undoubtedly reduce the incidence of these deadly conditions. Arthritis and gallbladder disease are 2 more common problems associated with obesity. Another imp ortant condition, thrombophlebitis, which is associated with potentially fatal pulmonary embolism, is also associated. The emotional toll of morbid obesity is well known as it affects the sufferer socially and via job discrimination. Here again, it is clear that these problems can be ameliorated with weight reduction.

My message for my patient’s who suffer with obesity is that despite all of the negative current and potential consequences of their problem, treatment will change them medically and emotionally for the best. It can literally change their lives.

Henry C. Sobo, MD
Internal Medicine
Stanford Connecticut
Certified, American Society of Bariatric Physicians