Weight-Loss Surgery

Problem of Obesity, Weight-Loss Surgery: Should Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Companies Pay For It



Problem of Obesity, Weight-Loss Surgery: Should Medicaid and Insurance Companies Pay For It

Introduction

This paper will discuss about problems related to obesity, morbid obesity and its measurement tool; body mass index. Then the paper will discuss about the weight-loss surgery, its risk factors and the pros and cons of the surgery. Moreover we will analyze the role of insurance companies and Medicaid (whether they cover or not weight-loss surgery expenses). Finally we will conclude our discussion about this growing concern of the states.

Body mass index (BMI)

Perhaps you have heard about such important factors as body mass index (BMI). What does it mean and why is it important to know your BMI?

BMI shows a ratio of weight and human growth. World Health Organization uses this index to determine the degree of obesity. The importance of BMI is that only knowing a person's weight is not enough. If the BMI is too high, it increases risk of cardio-vascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary insufficiency, heart disease, gallbladder disease, respiratory system, osteoarthritis, and cancer of the uterus, breast, prostate and colon.

BMI is equal to body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters, squared. For example, if a person weighs 65 kg, height 170 cm, it means a BMI = 65 ÷ (1.7)² = 22.5 kg / m².

According to the World Health Organization, the value obtained indicates the following:

Underweight: BMI below 18.5

Normal weight: BMI from 18.5 to 24.9

Overweight: BMI from 25 to 29.9

Obesity: BMI of 30 or more.

Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Overweight is called high body fat content associated with metabolic disorders. Anyway, the problem of obesity is concerns of about half of humanity. The problem of obesity and over weight is greater in older people. For example, at a young age (30 years), there are between 5 to 20% obese people, and the age of 40 years of perfect weight can boast almost half the population. Moreover, among women this percentage is higher than among men (Freitas and Sweeney, 2010).

Morbid obesity

Morbid obesity is an obesity, which results in significant health problems. Morbid obesity is defined as weight that is 100% or 45 kg above ideal. Most people with morbid obesity are watching episodes of sleep apnea and hypoventilation on the right atrioventricular insufficiency. The relative risk of sudden death in their 15-30 times is higher than in lean people, taken as a control. People suffering from obesity pose a significant health problem with high risk of dying soon (Freitas and Sweeney, 2010).

History of weight-loss surgery

Weight loss surgery is a type of medical procedure (for people who are overweight) for the purpose of weight reduction. After years of clinical trials by early 50-ies, it became clear that the decrease in the length of the intestine leads to significant weight loss. Then the surgeon got the question: Is it possible to use "short bowel syndrome" for the treatment of ...