Medical Complications of Obesity and being Overweight

Medical Facts about Obesity

• It is a true disease with genetic determinants
• It is NOT a character weakness—chronic condition not to be cured overnight
• Major Public health threat
• Being obese and overweight is a chronic disease, just like diabetes, hypertension or asthma
• The number of people that are overweight and obese have gone up 75% in 30 years
• 66% of Americans are overweight and / or obese
• Overweight and obesity cause more chronic  disease than poverty, tobacco and alcohol combined
• There are far more overweight and obese people than smokers or alcoholics.

Even a small loss of weight can greatly improve your health. A 10% weight loss from your current body weight will improve:

Prevalence of Obesity in USA

• 33% adults are obese
• 33% adults are overweight
• 25% adults have Metabolic Syndrome

Childhood Obesity:  18 – 20% of children are currently overweight or obese

BMI:  Lowest mortality rates are for those with a BMI from 20-25

A BMI of over 30 will increase the all cause mortality by 50 – 100%.

Coronary Artery Disease:

• An increase in BMI of 1 unit or 5 lbs of fat will increase your risk of Coronary Artery Disease by 10%
• A 1% reduction in cholesterol will cause a 2% reduction in Coronary Artery Disease
• 44% of the population over the age of 50 meets the criteria of Metabolic Syndrome.  There is a subsequent increase in the number of persons affected with Coronary Artery Disease in this category.

Metabolic Syndrome as defined by the NCEP ATP III Criteria is abdominal obesity of

• > 35 inches in women
• > 40 inches in men

Metabolic Syndrome is now one of the leading causes of Heart Disease in America.  This is actually more common than cigarette smoking. 

So ask yourself, do you meet these criteria?  If so, your return to a healthy state is much more important than actually losing weight.  Weight loss is actually a side effect to Health and Wellness!  So, begin this journey with me and my staff!  You will find Health and Wellness on the other side.  Remember, this is not going to be an easy journey. You will undoubtedly find all kinds of resistance throughout this journey. We will be here to help. The purpose of this program is to place you in the fast track to Health and Wellness. 

I invite you to keep in contact with us on this journey.

To your Health and Wellness,

Michelle M. Haendiges, MD

 *Stats provided by CDC