Morbid obesity is a form of excessive accumulation of fat in the body, characterized by a BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg / m². This form of obesity is classified as grade 3, which is more serious because, at this level, being overweight puts health at risk and tends to shorten the person's life span.
So, the first step to find out if a person has morbid obesity is to calculate their BMI. To do this, you must enter the data in a calculator, like this:
This type of obesity can be cured, and to combat it, a lot of effort is required, with medical and nutritional monitoring, in order to reduce weight and treat associated diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, in addition to the practice of physical activity to favor burning fat and increasing lean mass. However, in some cases, bariatric surgery may be necessary to more easily resolve this condition.
What causes morbid obesity
The cause of obesity is an association of several factors, which include:
- Excessive consumption of high-calorie foods, high in fat or sugar; Sedentary lifestyle, because the lack of exercise does not stimulate burning and facilitates the accumulation of fat; Emotional disorders, which favor binge eating; Genetic predisposition, because when parents are obese it is common for the child to have a greater tendency to have; Hormonal changes, which is the least common cause, associated with some diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism, for example.
To simplify, it can be concluded that obesity is the result of consuming more calories than is spent throughout the day, and this excess calories and energy are transformed into fat accumulation.
Better understand the main theories that explain excess fat in causes of obesity.
How to treat
To lose weight and stop being obese, it is essential to adopt a dietary reeducation, eating healthy foods, rich in vegetables and lean meats, and eliminating treats, fats, fried foods and sauces.
It is important to understand that the taste has become accustomed to this type of caloric food, being a kind of addiction, but that it is possible to adapt and even start to enjoy healthier foods, however, it is necessary to make an effort.
The diet needs to be done with the accompaniment of a nutritionist, so that it is possible to adapt to the routine and diseases that the person has, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension, which are common problems in morbid obesity. In addition, strict diets should not be used, as they are very difficult to comply with. See what step-by-step to lose weight with dietary reeducation.
When surgery is needed
Bariatric or stomach reduction surgeries are valid treatment alternatives for morbid obesity, but in general they are only advised in cases where after 2 years of medical and nutritional treatment there is no significant weight loss, or when there is a risk of life due to being overweight. Learn more about surgeries on how weight loss surgeries work.
In addition to a healthy diet, the success of the treatment also involves the practice of physical activity and psychological monitoring to maintain motivation in the face of the difficulty of losing weight.
Infant morbid obesity
Childhood obesity is characterized by excess weight among babies and children up to 12 years of age, when their body weight exceeds the average weight corresponding to their age by 15%. This excess weight increases the risk of the child developing serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, sleep disorders, high cholesterol or liver problems, for example.
Find out how to calculate your child's BMI:
The treatment of childhood obesity also involves changing eating habits and encouraging the practice of physical activity, with the recommendation of the nutritionist, so that the adjustment of food is calculated according to the amount of weight that needs to be lost and with the needs of each child. Check out what are the ways to help the overweight child lose weight.
