Is Obesity a Disease?
Recent research has shown that obesity isn’t just an excess of adipose tissue or a lack of willpower. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial, chronic disorder involving genetic, environmental (social and cultural), behavioral, psychological, physiological and metabolic components.
Once a person develops obesity, the body has adapted to identify this higher weight as normal, establishing and then attempting to maintain a metabolic “set-point. For patients with obesity, the result can be a prolonged battle with their own bodily regulatory mechanisms — a vicious cycle in need of intervention.
How do you Measure Obesity?
There is no perfect way. Many different measurements are made. A commonly used one is Body Mass Index (BMI). We want you to take the time to understand what BMI is, as this will come up frequently through your journey towards a healthier life.
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height and applies to most adult men and women aged 20 and over. For children aged 2 and over, BMI percentile is the best assessment of body fat.
Dr. Saniea F. Majid, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is our founder, director, and award-winning surgeon with more than 10 years of experience treating patients. She is the President of the New Jersey state chapter of ASMBS, a member of the Board of Directors at New Jersey Doctor-Patient Alliance, and Chair of the Post Operative Weight Recurrence Task Force (POWER). Dr. Majid has devoted her life to helping people like you lose weight and transform their lives and not only started and directed the Metabolic and Bariatric Center at Saint Michaels Medical Center but also achieved the National Center of Excellence. Dr. Majid is one of only three bariatric doctors and surgeons featured in the 2023 Healthy Living magazine published by NJ Top Docs. She is also a regular guest speaker for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) where she trains bariatric surgeons on the latest methods and techniques.
Many serious illnesses are associated with obesity. Some of them are:
Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), High cholesterol, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Osteoarthritis, Gallstones, Fatty Liver disease, Coronary Artery Disease( heart disease), Stroke, Cancer such as breast, pancreatic, endometrial etc, Infertility, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)Depression, Migraines, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD),Urinary Stress incontinence ( leakage of urine when you cough or sneeze) etc.