Morbid obesity

Alternative names:

extreme obesity

Home care:

Prevention of obesity is preferable to treatment after the fact. Weight watching in the United States appears to be a national pastime but for the morbidly obese, weight reduction is critical to health. A combination of calorie restriction and exercise (when adhered to) appear to be the most effective rather than either one alone. Sticking to a weight reduction program is difficult and requires much support from family members and friends.

Call your health care provider if:

• you or your child appear to be excessively obese or are gaining weight at an extremely rapid rate. Remember that catching the problem early is much simpler than trying to fix it after the person has gained an excessive amount of weight.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. A dietary and exercise regimen may also be prescribed.

Medical history questions documenting morbid obesity in detail may include:

• family history
  • Were any other family members excessively heavy?
  • Was a disorder diagnosed as a cause of obesity in any other family member?

• dietary history (complete history of eating habits as well as types and amounts of food eaten)
• other symptoms
  • Is there difficulty breathing?
  • Does the person wake up often at night?
  • Does the person appear tired or sleepy during the daytime?

Physical examination:
A thorough physical examination will be done to determine if there is any medical cause for the obesity. Height and weight will be plotted on a chart to help determine the degree of obesity.

Diagnostic tests:
Body fat content can be determined by special studies.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to morbid obesity to your personal medical record.