Do you know your BMI? Do you know that if your BMI is higher than or equal to 40, you are already considered morbidly obese or extremely obese?
If you haven’t already done it, you should check your BMI using a BMI calculator to find out if your weight is still within the normal range.
Here, we will take a closer look at what extreme obesity is and what you can do if you are extremely obese:
What Are the Indications of Extreme Obesity?
A person has extreme obesity if they have:
- High buildup of fat in the body
- A BMI of 40 or higher
- Health complications due to their weight
Why Do People Become Obese?
There are certain risk factors that may contribute to the development of any class of obesity, including:
- Dietary habits and activity levels that affect a person’s energy levels
- Socioeconomic conditions that might limit one’s ability to get healthy food and enough exercise
- Genetic factors
- Medical conditions like PCOS and Cushing’s Syndrome
- Family history and environmental factors
- Stress and anxiety levels
- Lack of sleep
How to Be Healthier If You Are Extremely Obese
The first thing you need to do to improve your health is to lose all those extra pounds. Yes, it might seem daunting, especially if you have had difficulty losing weight or if you have been diagnosed with a certain medical problem that makes it even more challenging to lose weight. You may have already suffered the stigma of being overweight for years, and you cannot see how things can be any other way.
That said, you must not lose hope. Here are some things you can do to lose weight:
Find a Compassionate Physician Whose Expertise Is Helping People With Obesity
You need someone on your team who can guide you and help you lose weight safely. A compassionate doctor can help you feel better every time you make progress and help ensure that you are on the right path.
Be More Active
If you are extremely obese, it is recommended that you get more active. However, you should not start too strong without getting the green light from your physician. As a general rule, you must first lose 10% of your body weight before you start with a more rigorous workout program.
Eat Right
If you are like most people, you may have become obese due to diet. If you are serious about shedding those extra pounds, you need to be smarter with what you eat. Your doctor or nutritionist will be able to give you some recommendations that suit your specific needs.
Work on Reducing Stress Levels
As stress is a contributing factor, you must work on lowering your stress levels. That means taking breaks when needed, avoiding stressful situations, getting enough sleep, and taking proactive steps to be more relaxed, like meditating and practicing mindfulness.
Medication
Depending on what your physician recommends, you might benefit from taking certain medications to help you lose weight if you are extremely obese.
Surgery
In some cases, dietary changes, more exercise, and even medication may not be too effective in helping lose weight, so bariatric or metabolic surgery is performed. Of course, there are risks involved and you should only have this done upon the recommendation of your doctor.
Conclusion
Extreme obesity is quite dangerous, and if you are considered extremely obese, you should not ignore the situation and take action at once. Seek the help of a trusted doctor who can help you with your weight loss and journey to regaining your health. A body sculpting center can also help you get rid of the last few pounds that you can’t get rid of on your own.
Melinda Silva, MD for weight loss in San Diego, can help you lose weight with an array of services, including CoolSculpting. Schedule a consultation today!
