Quick, grim, Facts about American Obesity in 2010:
Obesity has become an epidemic in the U.S. and other developed countries. These obesity statistics are true and It is estimated that 93 million Americans are obese. That is more than 1 in 3 Americans, and that includes at least 1 in 5 children.
In 1962, research showed that the percentage of obesity in America's population was at 13%. By 1980 is had risen to 15%. By 1994 to 23% and by the year 2000 the obesity progression in America had reached 31%. In 2010 it is estimated that more than half of the U.S. population is above their ideal body weight.
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Health Facts related to the effects of Obesity:
Every year millions of people turn to diet, fitness and medication first to treat their obesity. However, the National Institutes of Health report that 90% of the people who participate in diets and weight-loss programs do not lose significant and sustained weight. Studies demonstrate that weight loss surgery, when compared to non-surgical treatments, yields the longest period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed other therapies.
The Good News - Solutions to Obesity
Surgical Treatment - Obese Weight Loss Solutions
Awareness of Bariatric surgery has dramatically increased, yet today only 1% of people that qualify have surgery. In order to qualify for surgery, a person must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or above or a BMI of 35 with comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, etc).
However some bariatric surgeons relax these requirements and often will perform surgery for patients with a BMI below 35 and above 30 if the patient will benefit significantly from the procedure.
Bariatric surgeons agree surgical treatment is often the best option considering the ineffectiveness of non-surgical treatment to produce sustained weight loss. Additionally surgical treatment carries a relatively low risk of complications of the procedures verses not having surgery and the significant health risks of morbid obesity. Most bariatric surgeons also agree there is not one surgery that is right for everyone. Some people prefer the AGB (Adjustable Gastric Band) because it is the least invasive and is easily reversible. Yet others prefer a more permanent procedure. Many times when complications or poor weight loss occur with one surgery, a revision or conversion (revising an existing procedure or converting one procedure to another) can be performed.