Morbid obesity is a condition where there is a very high accumulation of fat in the body, so that the sufferer has excess body weight that is far from the ideal size. Morbid obesity not only affects physical form, but also has the potential to cause other dangerous health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension).
The difference between obesity and morbid obesity is in the body mass index (BMI). A person is said to be obese if he has a body mass index of more than 25, while morbid obesity is higher, which is 37.5 or more.
Patients with morbid obesity also usually experience several symptoms, such as:
- Hard to breathe.
- It's easy and sweats a lot.
- Snoring.
- Tired easily.
- Pain in joints and back.
- Difficulty doing physical activity.
- Feeling insecure or isolated by the environment.
Causes of Morbid Obesity
In order for the body to function properly, for example to help the respiratory system and keep the heart beating, humans need energy in the form of calories obtained from a variety of foods. More calories will be burned or used by the body when a person is actively moving or exercising regularly. But if not, the excess calories cannot be burned and the body will store them as fat. Morbid obesity is the impact of fat stored in the body.
There are two main factors for the accumulation of fat in the body, namely:
- Being inactive and rarely exercising, so the body does not use the available calories effectively.
- Unhealthy food patterns and menus, such as eating high-calorie foods that are not in accordance with the activities being carried out.
In addition to lack of physical activity and unhealthy dietary patterns and menus, morbid obesity is also influenced by several other factors, including:
- Abnormalitiesdefaultor genetics. Abnormalities that can be in the form of abnormalities in the body's function in converting food into energy or burning calories.
- Stylelifein family. A person is at high risk of suffering from morbid obesity if influenced by unhealthy eating patterns and habits in his family.
- Health problems. Fat accumulation can also be triggered by certain health conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Cushing syndrome.
- Drug use. Medications used to treat diabetes, seizures, or antidepressants, antipsychotics, corticosteroids, and beta blockers can trigger weight gain, especially if they are not balanced with a healthy diet and activity pattern.
- Age. Hormonal changes and the body's caloric needs that occur as a person gets older also increase the risk of morbid obesity.
- Pregnant. Generally, you will gain weight during pregnancy. The risk of morbid obesity increases if the mother is unable to lose weight after delivery.
Lack of rest is also believed to increase the risk of morbid obesity. Someone who has risk factors for morbid obesity is recommended to be more careful and routinely monitor body weight. If necessary, consult a doctor regarding efforts that can be made to prevent morbid obesity.
Diagnosis of Morbid Obesity
In diagnosing, the doctor first examines the patient's medical history and existing risk factors. The patient's physical condition will also be thoroughly examined, including weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rhythm.
When the initial examination is complete, the doctor will calculate the body mass index. Body mass index can be calculated manually or using a special calculator. In the process, the data used is the patient's height and weight. The body mass index formula is body weight (in kilograms) divided by body height (in meters) squared. For example, if the patient's weight is 110 kg with a height of 1.7 meters, then the formula will be 110: (1.7 x 1.7) = 38 (classified as morbid obesity).
The result of the calculation is called the body mass index. Based on its value, the body mass index is divided into 4 categories, namely:
- Too low weight:Less than 18.5.
- Normal: 18.5 to 22.9.
- Excess weight: 23 to 24.9.
- Grade I obesity: 25 to 29.9.
- Grade II obesity: 30 to 37.4.
- Morbid obesity: 37.5 or more.
The examination can also be continued by measuring the patient's waist circumference to detect the patient's risk of developing complications, such as diabetes or heart disease. Waist circumference exceeding 80 cm in women and 90 cm in men indicates that the person has a high risk of suffering from other conditions.
In addition to measuring waist circumference, doctors can also perform a series of tests that can be used to detect other diseases, namely:
- Blood test.
- Kidney function tests.
- Thyroid hormone test.
- Electrocardiography.
Morbid Obesity Treatment
Treatment of morbid obesity aims to reduce the patient's weight. There are several methods used to treat morbid obesity. Consult further with the doctor. The doctor will determine the right method and adjusted to the condition.
Diet
As much as possible avoid the type of diet that promises rapid weight loss. In addition to being unsafe, it is feared that rapid weight loss will not last long and can easily come back.
The main key to losing weight is to limit or reduce calorie intake. Regulate diet, avoid fast food such as hamburger and bubble tea, and eating low-calorie and high-fiber foods can be an effort to limit calories.
Some examples of low-calorie foods are:
- Wheat
- Egg
- Fish
- Potato
- Watermelon
Patients are advised to further consult a nutritionist regarding the appropriate diet method. Diet requirements for each person can be different, depending on his overall health condition.
Sport
By actively moving or exercising regularly, the calories in the body will burn a lot. Consult further regarding the method of treating morbid obesity by exercising. Basically, the method of treating morbid obesity by exercising for each person can be different, and must be adapted to the patient's health condition.
Medication and surgery
Treatment of morbid obesity with medication must be accompanied by a healthy diet and regular exercise. During the use of the drug, the patient must also get direct supervision from the doctor.
Some of the drugs used for weight loss include:
- Orlistat
- Liraglutide
When adjusting diet, exercising regularly, and administering medication are not effective in losing weight, surgery can be done. The type of operation used will be adjusted to the conditions and objectives of the operation itself. The following are operations that are often used to treat morbid obesity:
- Gastric bypass surgery.In the process, the doctor will change the size of the stomach to be smaller and directly connected to the small intestine so that it will reduce the absorption of calories by the body.
- Gastric banding surgery.In this operation the doctor uses a special band that is tied to the upper stomach, so that food enters the body is limited and causes a feeling of fullness quickly.
- Gastric sleeve. In this operation, the surgeon will remove part of the stomach, making the stomach smaller to store food.
Complications of Obesity Morbid
Suffering from morbid obesity increases a person's risk of developing other diseases, especially if the condition is not treated properly. Some of the complications of morbid obesity include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Metabolic syndrome
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart disease
- stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Reproductive disorders
- Gallstones
- Cancer, such as colon or breast cancer
- Erectile dysfunction
In addition to disease, morbid obesity can also affect the quality of life and interfere with psychological conditions. It can be the impact of the existence of body shaming or humiliated due to body shape, and limitations in participating in an activity. Psychological disorders experienced by patients with morbid obesity can be:
- Problems with sex life
- Depression
- Isolated by the environment
- Shame and feel guilty
- Decrease in work quality
Having morbid obesity can also reduce life expectancy by as much as 3 to 10 years. Therefore, consult further with your doctor if you are overweight, so that the risk of morbid obesity complications can be reduced.
Morbid Obesity Prevention
Efforts to prevent morbid obesity are not too different from the method of handling it. Several efforts can be made to prevent this condition, including:
- Regular moderate exercise is recommended as much as 150-300 minutes per week. The example is jogging or swim.
- Keep your calorie intake and eat lots of high-fiber foods, such as vegetables and fruit.
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Check your weight regularly, at least once a week.
If necessary, make a note containing the menu, time, and amount of food that has been consumed. That way, you can set a strategy to avoid the habit of overeating.
