The increasing incidence of obesity has made this issue one of major national importance.

Obesity refers to a situation where the estimated weight for an individual is significantly exceeded by their actual weight. The term body mass index (BMI) is used to calculate the level of obesity. This figure is obtained by dividing the weight in Kilograms with height in metres squared. The normal BMI for an adult is 20 – 24.9. A BMI of 25 – 29.9 is considered overweight, 30 – 39.9 obese, and above 40, morbidly obese. The term morbidly obese can also be applied to patients with BMI of 35 – 40 if they suffer from the medical conditions associated with excessive weight.

Obesity develops when an individual daily calorific intake chronically and considerably exceeds the energy utilised. This results in the storage of the excess intake in the form of fat tissue, deposited mainly in the subcutaneous regions throughout the body. The reasons why an individual becomes morbidly obese, and is unable to reduce weight in spite of dieting and other medical measures are complex, and include genetic, psychological, cultural and social influences. The current climate of widely available, cheap, processed foods, high in refined calories, low in nutritional and other content certainly plays a strong role in making this a modern day health epidemic crisis.

In addition to the severe impact on quality of life that arises out of a combination of limited mobility, social stigmatisation and low self-esteem, obesity can actually cause the development of actual medical conditions. These include

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease’
• High Blood Pressure
• Osteoarthritis
• Fertility problems
• Respiratory Diseases
• Gastrointestinal Disease

As a consequence, life expectancy is significantly shortened (Nine years on average)

In addition, there are economic implications with sick leave, unemployment, loss of productivity, depression and so on.

Many of the above problems, medical and economic can be completely reversed or significantly improved if obesity is reduced.

Most people who are morbidly obese have tried a variety of dietary and slimming programmes without success. At this point, specialist medical help is required, and this involves a referral to a physician with a specialist interest in obesity and its related diseases. The physician will assess the individual and try to decide whether further treatment with diets and slimming drugs may be of benefit, and most will also be referred to a psychologist and dietician. If it is clear that medical therapy in this way is not going to work, then at this point, the individual may be considered for keyhole surgery. Approximately 50% of patients referred in this way will go on to eventually have surgery.