What is Obesity?

Obesity is a 21st century epidemic and can often only be treated through weight loss surgery.

A person is classed as obese if their body mass index (BMI) is over 30 and overweight if their BMI is 25 to 30. Essentially, obesity can be the cause of many illnesses, which will increase mortality rates and lower life expectancy. Simply put, if you're obese, you're unlikely to live as long as your healthier peers unless you lose weight through dieting or weight loss surgery.

To find out more about weight loss surgery through SurgiCare, call us today on 08000 46 1000, order a brochure or request a call back.

Why is treating obesity important?

Obesity has grown by 400 per cent in the last 25 years and is on track to surpass smoking as the biggest killer in the UK. What's more, obesity costs the NHS £4 billion per year and is responsible for 18 million sick days annually. As a result, treating obesity is vital for both the country's health and its economy.

Obesity is associated with a number of illnesses. If you're obese, you are:

• 6 times more likely to develop gall bladder disease
• 5.6 times more likely to have raised blood pressure
• 3.8 times more likely to have diabetes
• Twice as likely to have osteoarthritis
• You are more likely to suffer from infertility and an increased risk of miscarriage
• More prone to back problems and sleep disturbance
• Shortening your life expectancy by 9 years

Using weight loss surgery procedures - such as a gastric band, or gastric bypass - to reduce your BMI and maintain it can enable you to avoid, reduce and sometimes reverse any health problems associated with obesity. Your overall health will improve physically and emotionally and you will gain added benefits socially and sexually, boosting your quality of life as well as your life expectancy.

Are you obese? Calculating your BMI

To find out if you are a healthy weight for your height calculate your Body mass index (BMI) using this simple BMI calculator.

If you have a BMI of over 40 or a BMI of 35 together with 2 or more medical conditions associated with your weight you could be a candidate for obesity surgery.Weight loss surgery procedures you can consider area gastric band or a gastric bypass.

If you are unsure of your weight/BMI or have not weighed yourself for a long time but are aware you are overweight book in for a consultation where we will calculate your BMI for you and discuss all weight loss surgery options available.

How is BMI Calculated?

Your BMI is calculated by taking your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared.
Weight (Kg) / Height (m2)

The following table shows the internationally accepted criteria for BMI:

BMI Weight Classification

< 20 Underweight
20 - 25 Ideal BMI
25 - 29.9 Overweight
30 - 34.4 Obese
5 - 39.9 Severe obesity
40 - 49.9 Morbid Obesity
>50 Super Obesity

Contact SurgiCare to find out more on how weight loss surgery can help obesity or book a free consultation