Morbid obesity: the disease and comorbidities.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the disease of morbid obesity, its causes, and its impact upon an individual's life. Medical personnel must have a clear understanding that morbid obesity is a disease largely due to genetic makeup and not a personality defect or lack of control. The intention is to show how morbid obesity contributes to many comorbidities that are costly, decreases quality of life, and is life-threatening. Providing a better understanding will hopefully facilitate more compassionate care among nurses who care for this population.
Owens
Tracy Martinez
TM
Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Control, San Diego, Calif 92120, USA. towensrn@gastricbypass.com
D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life