Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity is a state which is reached when a person becomes double their ideal weight or is more than 100 lbs (44.4 Kg) overweight. The body mass index is 40 or over. There appears to be a stronger genetic component in morbid obesity.

Medical complications are the same as for obesity but proportionately intensified and there is the additional problem of hypoxaemia (lack of oxygen) and severe sleep apnoea. People with morbid obesity are expected to have a lifespan that is 20 years shorter than expected.

Amended April 2008