Morbid obesity, also known as class III obesity, is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with other health problems related to excess weight. Morbid obesity can increase the risk of developing serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. It can also affect the quality of life and mental health of those who suffer from it.

But morbid obesity is not a hopeless situation. There are many treatment options available for people who want to lose weight and improve their health. In this article, we will explore some of the causes, symptoms, complications, and treatments of morbid obesity, and provide some tips on how to prevent it.

What causes morbid obesity?

Morbid obesity is the result of an imbalance between the calories consumed and the calories burned by the body. When a person eats more calories than they need for their daily activities and metabolism, the excess calories are stored as fat. Over time, this can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity.

Many factors can contribute to this imbalance, such as:

• Genetic factors: Some people may inherit genes that affect how their body stores and burns fat, or how they regulate their appetite and metabolism.
• Environmental factors: The availability and affordability of high-calorie foods, the lack of physical activity opportunities, the influence of media and advertising, and the social norms and expectations around eating and body image can all affect a person’s eating habits and lifestyle choices.
• Behavioral factors: A person’s eating patterns, activity level, stress management, sleep quality, and coping skills can all affect their weight and health. Some people may overeat or binge eat as a way of dealing with emotional issues or boredom. Others may have difficulty controlling their portions or resisting temptations. Some may lack the motivation or support to exercise regularly or follow a healthy diet.
• Medical factors: Some medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing’s syndrome, or depression can cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. Some medications, such as steroids, antidepressants, or antipsychotics can also have side effects that affect appetite or metabolism.

What are the symptoms?

Morbid obesity can cause various physical and psychological symptoms that can interfere with a person’s daily functioning and well-being. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Back pain
• Snoring
• Difficulty sleeping
• Acid reflux
• Skin infections
• Swelling in the legs
• Low self-esteem
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Social isolation

What are the complications of morbid obesity?

Morbid obesity can increase the risk of developing many chronic diseases that can affect various organs and systems in the body. Some of the possible complications include:

• Type 2 diabetes: This is a condition where the body cannot use insulin properly to regulate blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can damage the nerves, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and heart.
• High blood pressure: This is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. High blood pressure can strain the heart, damage the blood vessels, and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
• Heart disease: This is a term that covers various problems that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood effectively. Heart disease can cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.
• Stroke: This is a condition where a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, cutting off blood flow to a part of the brain. Stroke can cause paralysis, speech problems, vision loss, and cognitive impairment.
• Metabolic syndrome: This is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), low HDL (good) cholesterol, and abdominal obesity (having excess fat around the waist).
• Fatty liver disease: This is a condition where fat builds up in the liver cells and causes inflammation and scarring. Fatty liver disease can impair liver function and lead to cirrhosis (permanent liver damage) or liver cancer.
• Some cancers: Obesity can increase the risk of developing some types of cancer, such as breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, liver, and pancreatic cancer. This may be due to the effects of excess fat on hormones, inflammation, and the immune system.
• Breathing problems: Obesity can affect the lungs and the airways, making it harder to breathe. This can cause conditions such as sleep apnea (where a person stops breathing briefly during sleep), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (where a person has low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood).
• Osteoarthritis: This is a condition where the cartilage that cushions the joints wears away, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Obesity can put extra pressure on the joints, especially the knees, hips, and lower back, and accelerate the wear and tear process.
• Gout: This is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, causing sudden and severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. Obesity can increase the production of uric acid in the body and reduce its excretion by the kidneys.
• Gallbladder disease: This is a condition where gallstones (hard deposits of cholesterol or bile) form in the gallbladder (a small organ that stores bile) or block the bile ducts (tubes that carry bile from the liver to the intestine). Gallstones can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Obesity can increase the cholesterol level in the bile and reduce its flow, making it more likely to form gallstones.
• Kidney disease: This is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Kidney disease can cause swelling in the legs, high blood pressure, anemia (low red blood cell count), bone problems, and kidney failure. Obesity can damage the kidneys by increasing blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation.
• Pregnancy problems: Obesity can affect a woman’s fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. These complications include gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy), miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, premature birth, and cesarean delivery.
• Fertility problems: Obesity can affect both men’s and women’s reproductive health and reduce their chances of conceiving. This may be due to hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems, erectile dysfunction, or low sperm quality.

What are the treatment options for morbid obesity?

The main goal of treating morbid obesity is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight that reduces the risk of health problems and improves the quality of life. There are different treatment options available for morbid obesity, depending on the severity of the condition, the presence of other health issues, and the preferences of the individual. These options include:

• Lifestyle changes:

  This involves adopting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity levels. A balanced diet that is low in calories, fat, sugar, and salt but high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals can help reduce weight and improve health. Regular exercise that is moderate to vigorous in intensity can help burn calories, build muscle, strengthen bones and joints, improve mood, and prevent weight regain. Aiming for a weight loss of 5% to 10% of the initial weight within six months is a realistic and beneficial target for most people with morbid obesity.

• Behavioral therapy:

  This involves working with a trained professional to identify and modify the psychological factors that influence eating behavior and weight management. Behavioral therapy can help a person develop coping skills, self-monitoring techniques, goal-setting strategies, problem-solving skills, and relapse prevention plans. It can also address any emotional issues or mental health problems that may contribute to or result from morbid obesity.

• Medication:

  This involves taking prescription drugs that can help suppress appetite, increase metabolism, or block fat absorption. Medication can be used as an adjunct to lifestyle changes and behavioral therapy for people who have not achieved adequate weight loss with these methods alone. Medication should be prescribed by a doctor who can monitor its effectiveness and side effects. Some of the common drugs used for weight loss include orlistat (Xenical), liraglutide (Saxenda), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), and liraglutide (Wegovy).

• Surgery:

  This involves undergoing a surgical procedure that alters the digestive system to limit food intake or absorption. It can be an effective option for people who have a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with other health problems related to obesity. Surgery should be performed by an experienced surgeon who can explain the benefits and risks of different types of procedures.

Some of the common procedures include gastric bypass (where a small pouch is created from the stomach and connected to the small intestine), sleeve gastrectomy (where most of the stomach is removed), adjustable gastric banding where a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (where a large part of the stomach is removed and the small intestine is rearranged to reduce nutrient absorption).

How to prevent morbid obesity?

Morbid obesity can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle that promotes weight control and overall well-being. Some of the preventive measures include:

• Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats. Avoiding or limiting foods that are high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, such as fast food, junk food, sweets, sodas, and alcohol.
• Drinking plenty of water and other fluids that are low in calories and sugar, such as unsweetened tea, coffee, or juice. Staying hydrated can help curb appetite, flush out toxins, and improve digestion.
• Practicing portion control and mindful eating. Using smaller plates, bowls, and utensils can help reduce the amount of food consumed. Eating slowly and chewing well can help savor the taste and texture of food and enhance satiety. Paying attention to hunger and fullness cues can help avoid overeating or under-eating.
• Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise per week can help burn calories, boost metabolism, improve cardiovascular health, and prevent weight gain. Adding some strength training and flexibility exercises can also help build muscle, tone the body, strengthen bones and joints, and prevent injuries. Reducing the time spent sitting, watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer can also help increase energy expenditure and prevent weight gain.
• Seeking professional help and support. Consulting a doctor, a dietitian, a psychologist, or a weight loss specialist can help assess the health status, set realistic goals, design a personalized plan, and monitor the progress of weight loss. Joining a support group, a fitness club or an online community can also help share experiences, tips, challenges, and successes with others who have similar goals or struggles.

Conclusion

Morbid obesity is a serious condition that can affect various aspects of a person’s life and health. It can be caused by various factors that influence the balance between calorie intake and expenditure. It can cause various symptoms that impair daily functioning and well-being. Morbid obesity also increases the risk of developing many chronic diseases that can have life-threatening consequences.

However, morbid obesity is not a hopeless situation. There are many treatment options available for people who want to lose weight and improve their health. These options include lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, medication, and surgery. These options can help achieve and maintain a healthy weight that reduces the risk of health problems and improves the quality of life.

Morbid obesity can also be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle that promotes weight control and overall well-being. These preventive measures include eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, practicing portion control and mindful eating, increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior, and seeking professional help and support.

By following these tips, a person with morbid obesity can overcome their condition and enjoy a happier and healthier life.