Obesity

Causes :: Consequences :: BMI :: Treatment :: Trials

A Disease

Obesity is the excess accumulation of body fat

• Over 60% of Australian are overweight or obese

Causes of Obesity
Obesity could be a combination of the following:

• The genes you inherited from your parents
• How well your body turns food into energy
• Your eating and exercising habits
• Your surroundings
• Psychological factors

Major health risks

Compared to people of normal weight, obese people have a 50% to 100% increased risk of dying prematurely

• Diabetes
• Joint problems (e.g., arthritis)
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Gallbladder problems
• Certain types of cancer (breast, uterine, colon)
• Digestive disorders (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GORD)
• Breathing difficulties (e.g., sleep apnea, asthma)
• Psychological problems such as depression
• Problems with fertility and pregnancy
• Urinary Incontinence
• Shorter Life Expectancy

Risks to psychological and social well-being

• Negative self-image
• Social isolation
• Discrimination

Difficulties with day-to-day living

• Normal tasks become harder when you are obese, as movement is more difficult
• You tend to tire more quickly and you find yourself short of breath
• Public transport seats, telephone booths, and cars may be too small for you
• You may find it difficult to maintain personal hygiene

Other Treatment Options

Non-Surgical - Diet and Exercise

Dieting, exercise, and medication have long been regarded as the conventional methods to achieve weight loss. Sometimes, these efforts are successful in the short term. However, for people who are morbidly obese, the results rarely last. For many, this can translate into what's called the "yo-yo syndrome," where patients continually gain and lose weight with the possibility of serious psychological and health consequences. Recent research reveals that conventional methods of weight loss generally fail to produce permanent weight loss. Several studies have shown that patients on diets, exercise programs, or medication are able to lose approximately 10% of their body weight but tend to regain two-thirds of it within one year, and almost all of it within five years**. Another study found that less than 5% of patients in weight loss programs were able to maintain their reduced weight after five years*.

Surgical Treatments

Over the years, weight-loss surgery has proven to be a successful method for the treatment of obesity. Options included are:

• Laparoscopic Gastric Band
• Laparoscopic gastric Bypass
• Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Stomach stapling or Gastroplasty
• Malabsorptive procedures
  

Private Health Insurance – Check that you’re covered

The hospital costs associated with gastric banding surgery are usually covered by most levels of private health insurance. Some of the more basic levels of cover such as extras-only cover may not include weight loss surgery. (NIB Health fund only covers gastric banding in its top-level cover). A 12-month waiting period usually applies if you are recently joined a health fund. Gastric banding is NOT considered cosmetic surgery. It has Medicine item number and is recognised by all the major health funds. To find out if you are covered, contact your health fund and quote the following Medicare item Number:

Tax Rebate Scheme

A Significant rebate may be able to be claimed through your end of year tax return. You can claim a tax offset of 20% of your net medical expenses over $1.500. There is no upper limit on the amount you can claim, and it is not means or assets tested.

For example:

*$3,500 out of Pocket expense: tax rebate = ($3,500 - $1,500) * 20% = $400

As always, check with your accountant or financial advisor if this may apply to you. Further details can be found on the Australian Taxation Office website by Clicking here