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.
Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Control, San Diego, Calif 92120, USA. towensrn@gastricbypass.com
Tracy Martinez
TM
Owens
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