1. Obesity
Michelle Flanagan
MA260P-02
Unit 8 Assignment
Kaplan University
December 13, 2011

2. What is obesity
Obesity affects people all over the world. The disease can be very deadly if it is not controlled for
That reason everyone should have knowledge of obesity. Obesity is having excessive amounts of
body fat. A body mass of 30 or greater indicates a person is obese. Also, obesity can increase the
chance of contracting other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure,
and asthma. Therefore, the physician recommends you have a gastric bypass surgery to help
reserve your life.

3. Symptoms Of Obesity
• A body mass of thirty or higher is a major
sign that a person is obese
• breathing disorders (sleep apnea, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease)
• certain types of cancers (, prostate and
bowel cancer in men, breast and uterine
cancer in women)
• coronary artery (heart) disease
• depression
• diabetes
• gallbladder or liver disease
• gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• joint disease (e.g., osteoarthritis)
• stroke

4. What causes obesity
• Inactivity
• Unhealthy diet and eating habits
• Pregnancy
• Lack of sleep
• Certain medications (steroids)
• Medical problems (Cushing syndrome)

5. Risk Factors
• Genetics Certain medications (steroids)
• Inactivity Social and economic issues
• Unhealthy diet and eating habits
• Family lifestyle
• Quitting Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Lack of sleep
• Age

6. Testing for obesity
• The physician can taking health history
• The doctor can check for other health
issues that may indicate obesity
• The physician can Calculate your body
mass to decide whether a person is obese
• The physician can measure the
circumference of your waist to determine
obesity
• The physician can conduct a physical
exam to rule out obesity
• The physician can draw some blood to
determine if his or her patient is obese

7. Treatment and drugs
• Dietary changes
• Exercise and activity
• Behavior change
• Prescription weight-loss medications (Orlistat )
• Weight-loss surgery such as gastric bypass the surgeon makes a small pouch at the top of
your stomach. The small intestine is cut a short distance below the main stomach and
connected to the new pouch.
• Counseling is important mental support helps obese people identify emotional and behavioral
problems that are associated with eating.
• Support Groups are helpful because there are people there who are in the same position and
there are some who have already lost the excess weight.

8. Lifestyle Changes
• Stick to your treatment plan.
• Take your medications as directed.
• Learn about your condition
• Enlist support ( surround your self with supportive people)
• Set realistic goals
• Identify and avoid food triggers
• Keep a record of foods you eat

9. Alternative Medicines
• Herbal remedies promote weight loss such
as weight loss tea
• Vitamins promote weight loss such as B12
• Minerals promote weight loss such as
Chromium

10. Patient Education
Obesity is excess body fat and is one of the common health issues in the United States. One third
of adults are considered obese. Obesity can reduce your life span and create high blood pressure,
diabetes, or heart disease. There are many other health problems associated with obesity. Obesity
can be caused by genetics, physiological issues, poor food intake (eating disorders), lifestyle,
pregnancy, or drugs. Obesity is diagnosed by calculating the total body mass of an individual. If
the body mass is thirty or over the person is considered obese. Obesity is often a life long issue
because once a person gains the weight it is hard to loose it. The length of time it takes to loose
the weight depends on a persons goal weight, the person activity level, and the type of treatment
weight loss program a person selects. As a person looses weight diseases and conditions
associated with obesity improves. To avoid obesity maintain a healthy body weight throughout
Your life, eat a well balanced diet, and exercise frequently. Extra weight can be lost by eating
500 to 1000 lesser each day. A person also has to burn more calories than he or she takes in. Also,
a person should exercise for a least thirty minutes daily to loose weight or maintain a healthy
weight. Prescription pills such as orilistat will help with weight loss. A body mass of 40 or greater
A weight loss surgery will be recommended by your physician. A physician should be contacted if
A person is having problems loosing weight or any health issues occur that are related to obesity.

11. Resourceful websites
Obesity websites are helpful because they provide emotional support and help educate obese
people about their condition.
• www.obesityinamerica.org/
• research-on-obesity.com/
• www.cdc.gov/obesity/

12. Reference slide
Mayoclinicstaff. (1998). Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/
DS0034
Canada. (2010). The facts on obesity. Retrieved from http://www.bodyandhealth.canada.com/
channel_condition_info_details.as-Canada
Patient education center. (2011).Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.patientedu.org/aspx/health
library/HealthEtopic.aspx?cid..