Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount of body fat. Obesity is best defined by using the body mass index.

The body mass index is calculated using a person’s height and weight. The body mass index (BMI) equals a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared. Since BMI describes body weight relative to height, it is strongly correlated with total body fat content in adults. A BMI of 18.5-24-9 is considered as normal weight. An adult who has a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight, and an adult who has a BMI over 30 is considered obese.


Obesity in India has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century, with morbid obesity affecting 5% of the country’s population. India is following a trend of other developing countries that are steadily becoming more obese. Rapid urbanisation along with rising income and sedentry lifestyles have all been associated with rising levels of obesity. Obesity has been linked to a host of illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breathing disorders.

What Causes Overweight and Obesity?

Lack of Energy Balance

An Inactive Lifestyle


Genes and Family History

Health Conditions like hypothyroidism,cushing syndrome and PCOD

Medicines like antidepressants,corticosteroids and antiepileptics

Emotional Factors


Lack of Sleep

Obesity can lead to lot of medical problems/conditions such as

* Coronary heart disease

* High blood pressure

* Stroke * Type 2 diabetes

* Cancer

* Sleep apnea

* Gallstones

* Osteoarthritis

* Infertility or irregular periods

Obesity-related diseases


Congestive heart failure, Coronary artery disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Venous stasis ulcers, thrombophlebitis


Insulin resistance, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Type 2 diabetes

Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary

Abdominal hernia, Gallstones, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease


Stress urinary incontinence, Urinary tract infections


Deep venous thrombosis ,Pulmonary embolism


Carpal tunnel syndrome

Degenerative joint disease

Gout, Plantar fasciitis

Neurologic and psychiatric

Anxiety ,Depression ,Pseudotumor cerebri ,Stroke

Obstetric and gynecologic

Fetal abnormalities and infant mortality, Gestational diabetes, Infertility Miscarriage


Asthma, Obesity hypoventilation syndrome ,Obstructive sleep apnea, Pulmonary hypertension

Fastest option to reduce weight is:

Surgical option (Bariatric surgery)

What is the bariatric surgery?



* gastric surgery(Sleeve gastrectomy)

* gastric bypass surgery like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and Mini gastric bypass

* laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

* Duodenal switch with biliopancreatic diversion

* Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI)

* What is gastric bypass surgery and how does it work?


* Candidates for bariatric surgery

An ideal candidate for the bariatric surgery would be –

Body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or BMI 35 kg/m2 with significant obesity-related co-morbidities

Psychologically stable with realistic expectations

Well-informed and motivated patient

Supportive family/social environment

Absence of uncontrolled psychotic or depressive disorder

No active alcohol or substance abuse

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Severe Obesity: Why the Need for Surgical Intervention


How Can Bariatric Surgery Help Me?

When combined with a comprehensive treatment plan, bariatric surgery may often act as an effective tool to provide you with long term weight-loss and help you increase your quality of health. Bariatric surgery has been shown to help improve or resolve many obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease,hypothyroidism and more. Frequently, individuals who improve their weight find themselves taking less and less medications to treat their obesity-related conditions.


Changes in Quality of Life and Psychological Status with Surgery

In addition to improvements in health and longevity, surgical weight-loss improves overall quality of life. Measures of quality of life that are positively affected by bariatric surgery include physical functions such as mobility, self-esteem, work, social interactions, and sexual function. Singlehood is significantly reduced, as is unemployment and disability. Furthermore, depression and anxiety are significantly reduced following bariatric surgery.

Source URL : http://blogs.fortishealthcare.com/obesity-salient-killer-major-health-problem-india-world/