- In Mexico, more than 75% of the adult population suffers from some degree of overweight or obesity.
- To combat excess body mass, a multidisciplinary medical team is required, made up of a bariatric doctor, a cardiologist or an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, and a psychologist.
- Although bariatric surgery is a safe intervention to combat obesity, it cannot be used in all people.
It is no secret that Mexico and much of the world are going through a severe public health crisis caused by obesity. The problem is growing and now even affects the child population. There are different alternatives to cope and one that is becoming increasingly relevant is the bariatric surgery but the most important thing is to specify that it only works for certain types of people and not for all.
First of all, the technical definition of obesity is that it is a chronic disease caused by an imbalance between the income and expenditure of calories. When this happens, an abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat is generated that damages people’s health and increases the risk of developing other pathologies.
In Mexico it is already a health epidemic because more than 75% of the adult population has excess body mass. Now, although overweight and obesity are often used as synonyms, they are not really the same.
Difference Between Overweight and Obesity
The difference between these two classifications lies mainly in the body mass index. (BMI) It is an important but not exclusive measurement to know the state of health of the patient. A BMI equal to or greater than 25 is an indicator of overweight, while a BMI equal to or greater than 30 is an indicator of obesity.
“Obesity carries many risk factors, including more than 12 types of cancer, plus this disease is linked to type 2 diabetes. Nearly 80% of people who suffer from it are also obese,” said Dr. José Rodríguez Villareal, bariatric surgeon and president of the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases.
Types of obesity for which bariatric surgery is recommended
Within the diagnosis there are various degrees of the disease according to the BMI of the patient. One equal to or greater than 30 is an indicator of grade I obesity, 35-40 grade II obesity, and a BMI greater than 40 is grade III obesity, which we know as morbid obesity.
It is precisely in recent years that the bariatric surgery as a treatment to combat excess body mass. The specialist mentions that it is indicated for patients with grade 1 obesity and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes; grade 2 obesity, with an associated disease and grade 3 obesity, with or without associated disease.
An intervention that not only helps to lose weight
In this sense, the treatment of bariatric surgery is focused not only on weight loss but also on preventing and/or mitigating the incidence of related conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, malignant tumors, liver disease, cerebrovascular diseases, among others, which can severely affect the patient’s quality of life.
“Technological advances in bariatric surgery have allowed it to be faster and safer today, and for the patient to recover sooner. However, it is very important that the specialist is certified every four years and be up to date”.
According to Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, any treatment against obesity, being a chronic disease, must be done under the supervision and recommendations of a multidisciplinary team. Must participate a bariatric doctor, a cardiologist or an endocrinologist, a nutritionist and a psychologist.
It is essential that patients recognize the risks of suffering from obesity, as well as the specialists who can advise them regarding the type of treatments and medical innovations that are already present in Mexico. In this way, any intervention can be carried out safely and effectively.
Also read:
6 requirements of a morbidly obese patient to be a candidate for bariatric surgery
Mexico includes bariatric surgery as a treatment for obesity
In 8 years, the IMSS has performed 450 bariatric surgeries on patients with morbid obesity
