Morbid obesity—a surgeon's perspective

Morbid obesity, defined as a body mass index >35 kg/m2with co-morbidity or 40 kg/m2without co-morbidity has now reached epidemic proportions in the western world. The associated co-morbidity, particularly diabetes, hypertension and arthritis creates a massive burden to the state in terms of both direct and indirect healthcare costs. A need exists both for an effective treatment for the condition, and for an awareness of the medical problems associated with obesity since these patients will be encountered in virtually all branches of medicine.