Obesity Archives - NJ Bariatric Institute

05 Jun

Americans are More Obese than Ever — And Exercise Isn’t Helping

More Americans than ever have obesity, according to a new study from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Based on the statistics, gathered from January through September 2017, 31.4 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and over have obesity – up from 19.4 percent in 1997. In the same time period, the number of Americans over 18 who met the 2008 federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity reached 53.8 percent, up from less than 45 percent in 1997. The article notes “although common sense would indicate that the more you exercise, the more weight you’ll lose, a number of studies have shown that that’s not necessarily the case.” It points to previous studies that found diet has a bigger impact on weight than exercise.

If you consider the number of Gyms around compared to 10 years ago or 20 years ago, and the number of people who run around daily wearing exercise gear, you would think that the problem must be decreasing rather than increasing. Wrong.

Exercise is beneficial. Do not misinterpret this article as stating that exercise does not have value. It’s very beneficial in many respects and does prolong length and quality of life. However, like so many other things, it is not an effective prevention or cure for obesity. As in many other interventions, it might be PART of the equation, but by itself is not enough. Obesity is a complex disease with a complex number of items coming together to lead illness and to premature death. There is not a single cause, nor is there a single cure.

In 2018, the best known option for fighting obesity is Bariatric surgery- PERIOD. Exercise will always be recommended as an adjunct because it IS good for you, but with all due respect to “The Biggest Loser” and similar programs, they are not the answer. Your choices are out there. You simply need to educate yourself and find the choice which makes you the most comfortable.

Call us, We can Help!

Dr Bertha and the NJBI Team

By admin Obese, Obesity 0 Comments

Obesity Drives Risk for Influenza-Related Hospitalization

Among adults with overweight or obesity, each 5 points increase in BMI is associated with a 40 percent increase in the risk for influenza-related hospitalization, according to a study in the International Journal of Obesity. The increased risk is comparable to adults who have cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Compared with normal-weight adults, those with BMI between 30 kg/m² and 40 kg/m² were 27 percent more likely to receive an influenza diagnosis, whereas adults with a BMI at least 40 kg/m² were 69 percent more likely to receive an influenza diagnosis.

This was a “bad” flu season and it has stretched for a long time. There are multiple scientists working on a more universal vaccine, but the bottom line is that we have not completely figured out the flu and people still die from it. In 1918 nearly a third of the planet had it and millions died. THAT was a “BAD” flu. Regardless of which flu, obesity increases your susceptibility. Not good. Another unwanted obesity related complication. Diabetes, Heart disease, arthritis, Stroke, Joint disease and now flu. You may ask: Does it ever end?

Only after surgical weight loss . . .

Call us, we can help!

Dr Bertha and the Team at NJBI

By admin Obesity, Uncategorized 0 Comments

Obesity Paradox’ Fails to Hold Up in Study

While some experts have implied that there is an “obesity paradox,” the idea that people with obesity live longer than those of normal weight. Now, a new study in JAMA Cardiology refutes that claim, finding that obesity was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and a two- to three-year shorter life span. The study pooled data from 10 studies of 190,672 people followed from 1964 to 2015. Compared with those of normal weight, men who had overweight had a 21 percent higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and women a 32 percent higher risk. Among those with obesity, the cardiovascular disease risk was 67 percent higher for men and 85 percent higher for women. The risk was even higher for those with morbid obesity. Longevity in men who had overweight but not obesity was similar to that of men of normal weight, but still carried an increased risk of cardiovascular disease at a younger age.

First some definitions:

Overweight (5-30 lbs over ideal)

Obese ( 31-69 lbs over ideal)

Severely obese (70-100 lbs over ideal)

Morbidly obese (>100 lbs over ideal)

As you can see from the study, each category above “normal” increases risk. The further from normal, the greater the risk. This is not a surprise when the factors which accompany the excess weight are considered. Diabetes, High serum lipids, Sleep apnea and hypertension are all increased with weight and cardiac risk factors. Even in the situation where these items have not been formally diagnosed, we know that they exist to some extent. Eliminate the weight, eliminate the comorbid conditions. Eliminate the weight eliminate the cardiac risk. Cardiac disease is the #1 killer in the world each year. Eliminate the weight, extend your life. It’s up to you.

Bariatric surgery is safe, available and effective. You have everything to gain but the weight . . .

Call us, We can Help!

Dr Bertha and the Team at NJBI

By admin Bariatric Surgery, Obesity 0 Comments