Overview
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Obesity Education Links

Due to a complex mixture of genetics and environment, obesity is a pervasive, chronic medical condition that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. In addition to having an extremely detrimental effect on health and lifestyle, obesity can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. However, obesity can be medically managed or surgically treated.

The Emory Bariatric Center in Atlanta, GA, is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts who can educate, facilitate and treat obese individuals who hope to reach and sustain a healthy weight. Comprised of physicians, dietitians, mental health professionals and exercise specialists who collaborate to offer a wide range of options, the program offers lifestyle education and nutritional counseling; group support; liquid meal replacement programs and pharmacotherapy; and surgical procedures.

After an initial consultation and comprehensive medical evaluation, the patient and the bariatric team will jointly decide on an appropriate course of action in the form of a customized weight loss plan. Setting medically reasonable weight loss goals, the plan's execution will be closely monitored to ensure safe weight loss, with great emphasis being placed on making the final weight goal achievable and sustainable. Center personnel will provide necessary support during the weight-loss process as well as instruct the patient in how to maintain a healthy weight. Any chronic illnesses related to the patient's obesity will be treated by our bariatric specialists or co-managed with the patient's primary care doctor.

BMI is a number showing body weight adjusted for height that can be calculated mathematically using inches and pounds or meters and kilograms. For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into the categories of underweight, normal, overweight or obese. Please see the chart below for the classifications of BMI number ranges by the National Institutes of Health. To calculate your BMI, please click here.

Calculate your BMI

The following websites contain information relating to obesity and its treatment:

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults
This section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website contains detailed data and facts about obesity.

National Institutes of Health
The primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research and an excellent resource for up-to-date information on obesity and its management.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health, including obesity.

American Society of Bariatric Physicians
The ASBP is a professional medical society of licensed physicians who specialize in the medical treatment of obesity and its associated conditions. For individuals, the organization offers information on the growing problem of obesity as well as tips on weight loss. For medical professionals, ASBP offers a series of continuing medical education programs; The Bariatrician, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal; and a bi-monthly newsletter.

The Obesity Society
Widely considered the leading organization for advocacy and education on obesity.

Understanding Adult Obesity
A fact sheet that concisely defines obesity and its causes, details how it is measured, and describes its associated health risks.

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