Obesity as a medical diagnosis is defined in relation to body mass index (BMI). BMI is a relationship between a person’s height and weight. A BMI in excess of 35.0 represents obesity; a BMI in excess of 40.0 is morbidly obese and represents about 100 lbs. of excess body weight. Weight gain is certainly multifactorial resulting from a combination of excess caloric intake, low activity level, and genetic composition. There are numerous medical conditions directly tied to and even worsened by obesity, such as hypertension and diabetes. GERD is definitively worsened by obesity and morbid obesity. The increase in intraabdominal pressure as a result of excess fatty tissue in the belly of obese patients, as well as poor dietary choices, lead to a higher prevalence of GERD in this population. Even a modest 15 lb. weight loss and associated dietary modification can help patients improve their quality of life and subjective experience of GERD symptoms.
Obesity