Bariatric

Although the term bariatric is not new (it has been around since 1965), it just seems to be popping up more frequently. Perhaps this is in response to the mounting worldwide obesity epidemic. The word bariatrics is used to identify the medical specialty that is responsible for addressing the causes, prevention and obesity related treatments. The discipline of bariatrics includes a vast array of services designed to assist in weight loss such as diet, physical activity, behavior modification drug therapy and surgical interventions.

Classification

Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between the ranges of 25 to 29 are considered to be overweight. The phrase obese applies to anyone falling in the 30 to 39 BMI range, and extreme obesity applies to any person whose BMI is 40 and over. Everyone classified in any of these categories are at increased risk for numerous medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, certain types of cancer, and musculosketal problems in addition to skin breakdown.

Factors that Contribute to Obesity

While there can be genetic and hormonal factors that affect body weight most often the factors that contribute to obesity are an imbalance in the amount of calories taken into the body and that utilized. When this imbalance occurs, and the body does not utilize all the calories ingested in the process of normal activities of daily living, and exercise the extra calories are stored as fat. Other factors that contribute to weight gain include a sedentary lifestyle (a large proportion of our time is spent seated on a daily basis, whether at home or at work); poor dietary habits; lack of sleep, pregnancy and certain medications.

Bariatric Interventions

The first step towards weight loss is the acknowledgement that there is a problem. This may result from a visit to the doctor or other health care provider, or from physical limitations and recognition that certain medical conditions are worsening. The next step is to look at ones diet and level of activity and take steps to monitor and reduce ones dietary intake while increasing ones level of physical activity. This should be carried out in conjunction with medical advice.

In some cases a medical provider may recommend certain drugs to facilitate weight loss. Bariatric surgery is usually considered for individuals who are severely obese with a BMI of 40 and over. Where serious life-threatening conditions are present in addition to obesity the U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric surgery for individuals with a BMI of 35.

Gastric bypass is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery because it is considered to provide long-term weight loss and have fewer complications than other weight loss surgeries. While gastric bypass surgery may assist in weight loss it does not replace the necessity to follow a healthy diet or engage in regular physical activities. Failure to maintain good dietary and exercise habits can negate any benefits associated with the surgery. Without a commitment to permanently changing eating, exercise and lifestyle factors that contributed to ones state of obesity even considering bariatric surgery with its list of potential complications, which includes death, is somewhat futile.