The fastest growing group of overweight Americans is the severely obese, according to the latest study by the RAND corporation. Severely obese is defined as being 100 or more pounds overweight.
According to the report released on Monday be the RAND corporation, the proportion of Americans who are severely obese increased by 50 percent from 2000 to 2005. This is twice as fast as the growth found in moderate obesity.
“The proportion of people at the high end of the weight scale continues to increase at a brisk rate despite increased public attention on the risks of obesity and the increased consume of drastic weight loss strategies such as bariatric surgery,” reported Roland Sturm, a spokesperson for RAND (www.sciencedaily.com).
RAND found that from 2000 to 2005, the proportion of Americans with a BMI of 30 or greater rose by 24 percent. The proportion of people with a BMI of 40 or higher increased by 50 percent. Finally, the proportion of Americans with a BMI of 50 or higher rose by 75 percent. This pattern of the largest group growing the fastest of other groups is right on course, as this larger group of obese individuals have been rising the most for the past twenty years.
According to Sturm, the recent rise in bariatric surgery has not significantly impacted obesity rates in America. Bariatric procedures, which include stomach stapling and stomach bypass surgery, rose to 200,000 in 2006. This is an increase from the 13,000 bariatric procedures performed on obese patients in 1998.
The RAND group used self-reported height and weight in their research. This self-report method often understates actual BMI. The self-reported data showed that 3 percent of Americans are classified as severely obese.
The stare suggests that clinically severe obesity is an integral part in the population. Severe obesity has previously been looked as as a rare pathological condition among genetically vulnerable individuals. Since the population as a whole gets bigger, it only makes sense that the typically heavier group would grow more as well.
Sources:
www.reuters.com
www.sciencedaily.com
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Surgical intervention, in the practice of weight loss, is growing in popularity and demand. For many obese patients, determining the just approach to weight loss can be enchanting and, often, frustrating. With unique body responses, each with a original metabolic response, one weight loss process may work for one individual but does not necessarily work well for another. Understanding surgical weight loss options, such as Lap Band surgery, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risk factors, will aid an obese individual in making a more well informed weight loss decision.
During the surgical weight loss procedure, Lap Band, a small pouch is created within the stomach. The concept of Lap Band Surgery lies in the constriction of the stomach, reducing the capacity to hold more than a specific quantity of food, thereby reducing the number of calories the obese individual consumes, ultimately leading to weight loss. Using a stoma, the stomach is reduced in size through a tightening of the band thereby also creating a prolonged feeling of fullness. As needed, the stoma can be adjusted to allow for a greater or decreased food capacity as warranted by the obese patient’s health needs.
For patients undergoing the Lap Band surgical procedure, the obvious first advantage lies within the significant weight loss. Additionally, because the stoma is adjustable, as time progresses, the amount of food intake can be adjusted to the dietary needs of the patient. The surgery is completely reversible and requires no permanent stapling of the stomach lining. With weight loss realized within the first few days following surgery, many patients are then motivated to seek out exercise routines and derive a new rejuvenation as the consumption of calories decreases, thereby increasing the total weight loss.
As with most weight loss surgeries, the Lap Band procedure does carry disadvantages. Of most significant disadvantage is the inability of the patient to consume the number of calories as was consumed prior to surgery. For emotional eaters, this lack of dependence upon food consumption can lead to additional emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, the decreased abiltiy to occupy massive quantities of calories leaves many patients struggling to make important food choices. With less food ingested, the obese patient must be sure to steal the right types of foods so as to ensure proper health is maintained
As with any weight loss surgical procedures, complications and risks are common and may include infection, abnormal bleeding and ineffective weight loss results. When considering a weight loss surgical diagram, such as Lap Band, consult a nutritionist and fitness counselor regarding other possible health and weight loss options. In addition to nutrition and fitness counseling, a visit with a psychologist or social worker, specializing in eating disorders, may be appropriate to ensure the proper mindset is in place when preparing for a Lap Band procedure.
For more information regarding Lap Band procedures, visit www.obesitylapbadsurgery.com.
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