Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, yet receives very little research funding. Unfortunately, obesity related medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension receive much more funding than morbid obesity itself. Since healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to roughly $100 billion each year, increased research funding would be a wise investment.Who Is at Risk for Obesity?
Socioeconomic factors play an important role in determining the risk of morbid obesity. Dietary therapy, the most common type of morbid obesity help, can be difficult to accomplish for people with limited financial resources. People with low incomes are more likely to have a diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates, since this is less expensive than fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Gender is also a risk factor for morbid obesity. Women are more likely to be obese then men. Research has shown a direct link between increased body weight and deaths from all causes in women ages 30 to 55. The LAP BAND system, a type of bariatric surgery, is a form of morbid obesity help that can assist women in reaching their weight loss goals while still allowing for the possibility of pregnancy.
As the numbers of those who are morbidly obese increase, the options for treatment are expanding. Beyond the LAP BAND procedure, gastric bypass surgery is another viable option. In fact, treatment that results in a weight loss of just 10 percent of excess body weight leads to in a significant improvement in most obesity-related medical conditions.
