Super Obese --> RE: language question

[Guest guest]

I agree with megan.

Once they are Morbidly Obese -- you could differentiate w/ Mild, Moderate, and Severe Morbid Obesity.

Although the argument could be made -- Are there varying degrees of Morbidly?

Or is that like -- Mild, Moderate, and Severe Death?

There really is not gradation for some problems.

If nothing else, as long as the phrasing makes sense to you, it probably doesn't matter whether it is "correct" or not -- it just reminds you of the patient's situation.

Did stumble on this...

Technically, I guess there is a classification for the BMI > 50 - super obese.

Some sites suggested that those w/ BMI >60 are -- super super obese.

http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/media/fact-sheet4_morbid-obesity.pdf

Weight classifications for adults:

o Super obese: A person with a BMI of 50 or more

50,000 adults are super obese in the U.S.

o Morbidly obese: A person with a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with an obesity-related disease, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea

15 million adults are morbidly obese in the U.S.

o Obese: A person with a BMI of 30 – 39.9

64 million adults are obese in the U.S.

o Overweight: A person with a BMI of 25 – 29.9

134 million adults are overweight or obese in the U.S.

http://www.asbs.org/html/pdf/2004_ASBS_Consensus_Conference_Statement.pdf

Between 1986 and 2000, prevalence of obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) doubled, morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) quadrupled, and super obesity (BMI > 50 kg/m2) increased fivefold in US adults.

http://www.drmartin-duce.com/html_en/obesity_frame.html

Classification of obesity according to BMI and severity of risk factors:

Categories

BMI Values

A: Normal weight

< 25

B: Overweight

25-27

C: Overweight +

27-30

D: Obese (Class 1)

30-35

E: Obese (Class 2)

35-40

F: Morbid Obesity

40-50

G: Super Obesity

50-60

H: Super-Super Obesity

> 60

Advisory Committee: American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Obes. Surg. 7:523, 1997.

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Here is an interesting related story.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/healthchinausoffbeat;_ylt=AuE.fKD4K1xxqEI_v1UHi1wDW7oF

To shed pounds, three Americans head to China

by nne Barriaux nne Barriaux – Tue Dec 2, 3:14 pm ET

Play Video AFP – Americans losing weight the Chinese way

Slideshow: Americans try living in China to lose weight

AFP/File – R-L: Three American men - Alonzo Bland and brothers Walt and - walk in the Chinese …

TIANJIN, China (AFP) – Three American men have taken the unusual step of moving to China in an extreme attempt to shed huge amounts of weight at a fat reduction clinic -- and have become surprise local celebrities.

Alonzo Bland, 33, and brothers Walt and , 56 and 50, have lived in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin since the middle of this year as part of an effort to break away from their unhealthy lifestyles back home.

Together, they have lost a combined 192 kilogrammes (427 pounds) and are aiming to shed over 100 more.

snip/snip

Locke, MD

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of SkaggsSent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 7:38 PMTo: practiceimprovement1Subject: language question

I am finding myself without a good descriptive term to use in my exams. How do you guys describe obesity that is "beyond morbid"? For body habitus, I usually choose from lean, muscular, well developed and well nourished, overweight (applied to BMI 26-30), obese (BMI 31-33) and morbidly obese (BMI > 33)Problem is, I have more and more patients with BMIs that are A LOT more than 33....like 46 to 56...and I haven't been able to think of a term that sounds nonjudgmental and still conveys the reality.Any suggestions?-- Annie SkaggsLexington, KY