About obesity

Obesity definition:   BMI over 30Kg/m2


Obesity in USA (2000 US Census)

Adult population (> 20y but < 70 y) were 185,634,000 persons.

The Obesity Prevalence was at 8% with BMI >35 but <40kg/m2 meaning 9.6 million with obesity Grade II. The morbid obesity prevalence was at 2.8% with BMI >40 kg/m2 witch means 6.0 million morbidly obese adults  and child obesity increase in last decade was at 66%.

Obesity in Brazil

Population  (all ages) 169,000,000.

The overall obesity prevalence with BMI over 30Kg/m2 is about 40% (70.000.000). Deaths by obesity means 80.000 persons. Child obesity increase in last decade, 240%.

Obesity Classification according to BMI:

o       Until 25 Kg/m2             Normal

o       25-30 Kg/m2               Overweight

o       30-35 Kg/m2               Grade I obesity

o       35-40 Kg/m2               Grade II obesity

o       > 40 Kg/m2                 Grade III obesity or Morbid Obesity

Indications for obesity surgery:

o       National Institute of Health

o       Patients BMI > 40 Kg/M2

o       Patients BMI > 35 with severe cardiopulmonary disease or severe diabetes as co morbidities

o       Patients judged by experienced clinicians to have a low probability of success with non-surgical measures

Gastrointestinal surgery for morbid obesity: National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement.  Am J Clin Nutr 55(2 ):615-619, 1992


Surgery does not apply to

The ones who do not fit the NIH statement or  for the one with history of  drug abuse / Alcoholism, patients lack of collaboration and major psychiatric disorder such as squizofreny, In the edge (limit) psychiatric disorders or Uncontrolled depression.