I was just watching Dr. G. Medical Examiner and they were talking about a woman who died who was basically wheelchair bound because she was morbidly obese
She was 5'2" and about 260 lbs. That is not that far from where I am weight wise. Does that mean I am close to being in a wheelchair because I am FAT!!!
I agree, dr. G just couldn't find another reason. I never could see how 260 lbs would be considered MORBIDLY obese! yeah, its not healthy.....but NOT morbid either.
If I recall correctly the lady also had untreated high blood pressure and diabetes. The weight itself doesn't kill you it's the other health problems caused by obesity (if you get them) that will kill you. Not all obese people have heart problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc but are at higher risk of developing them.
For those who go by BMI charts, any BMI over 40 is considered morbidly obese. That being said, I started my diet at 274lbs. I am 5'1" and at the time had uncontrolled blood pressure. That made my BMI over 51.
All of that being said, not only was I not in a wheelchair, I actually walk *everywhere*
I respect Dr. G--I think she knows what she's talking about because she sees dead people, literally, every day. It's true that many people who are in the "morbidly obese" category are often still able to do many things, aren't wheelchair bound, have good blood pressure, and so on. But it does not get better as one gets older.
Someone who is obese in their 30s, 40s, and who doesn't change isn't going to be in very good shape in their 60s, 70s. If they also have untreated diabetes and high blood pressure, then their health will deteriorate further. These are just the odds.
So, yeah, it's a freaky thing, but it's also a wake-up call. I was "healthy and obese," or so I thought. Now that I am lighter and have been exercising for awhile, I realize that I only thought I was healthy. I feel so much better now than I ever did. My fasting blood glucose used to 109, borderline, and now it's 87. My bp was never "high," but it is lower now--106/56. A one-mile walk then was pretty hard--now I routinely go farther than that every day, twice a day.
I don't think everyone who is morbidly obese winds up in a wheel chair and winds up dying from it. But it sure as heck is a distinct possibility.
I too was one of the "healthy" morbidly obese. Healthy, ha. Good BP (although it actually became high midway through my weightloss journey, is perfect now), normal sugar levels, good cholesterol. So I was "healthy", but for how long? How long can a heart take that much added weight to it? Or my other organs? For how long could I go on the way that I was? What about all that added weight causing cancer eventually? I'm pretty certain it was just a matter of time before a major, avoidable disaster struck. Sure, some morbidly obese or healthier then others, but really, there's nothing healthy about carrying around so much additional weight. It IS freaky. Really freaky. I know I - was freaked out about it all the time. I used to lay awake at night terrified of what I was doing to myself. I would wonder who would take care of my children.
Morbidly obese covers a huge range. I was morbidly obese 100 pounds ago. I never thought of myself as morbidly obese. Yes, I was able to walk around, do things, had good blood pressure and good cholesterol.
But you have to wonder for how long. The body tries to do the best it can with what it has to work with. Carrying around 100+ pounds is going to take its toll on the body, particularly the heart. Maybe not today, maybe not for a couple of years, but it will. And if you have underlying health problems, the obesity will exacerbate those. We just can't kid ourselves.
This woman's being wheelchair bound certainly could have been because of her obesity, easily. Dr G doesn't say every person who is obese will be in a wheelchair - but this woman was.
I've seen episodes where Dr G has more time to describe things. The fat between organs, fatty liver, enlarged heart ...
I agree with Lori that this example was about one individual. I'd be interested to know why they chose that example for this special episode. Worst case scenario???
I got upto 290 at 5'4" and was never in danger of needing a wheelchair to get around. I was able to do just about everything I can do now (although my knee would complain if I did too much). My DM has been 250lb for the last 20 years and is only 5'1'. She's 73 years old and gets around fine. I really thinks its about being active and you can stay active even when morbidly obese.
I got upto 290 at 5'4" and was never in danger of needing a wheelchair to get around. I was able to do just about everything I can do now (although my knee would complain if I did too much). My DM has been 250lb for the last 20 years and is only 5'1'. She's 73 years old and gets around fine. I really thinks its about being active and you can stay active even when morbidly obese.
Kitty
I think you are your mom were one of the lucky ones. Really. And I certainly hope that your mom remains one of the lucky ones for years and years to come.
Me, I wasn't so lucky. My size alone kept me from doing everyday "normal" stuff. Active stuff as well. Like fitting into airplane seats, amusement park rides. Barber chairs. Lawn chairs. Folding chairs - I was always afraid I was going to break them. Most chairs in fact were a source of fright for me. I was always worried about them. Tying my shoelaces was a chore. Polishing my toenails. Shopping at the mall. Any shopping for that matter. Doing the laundry was difficult. Getting up and down stairs. Oh I could go on and on.
My knees were BAD and getting worse every day. I was pretty certain that had I not done something pretty darn soon, that I would indeed end up in a wheel chair - or worse. I shudder to think about it, in fact.
Not only was I certain I was putting my physical health in danger, I most defiintely WAS complely screwing up my MENTAL health. Which is really quite important. So, not only did I feel my very life was in danger, but my quality of life WAS suffering, suffering terribly.
At 5'0" and 290 pounds when I started losing weight, I had good BP and didn't need a wheelchair to get around. Like others here have said, I look back on it now and think, "but for how long?"
Even though I didn't need a wheelchair, getting around was hard. Everyday things, such as tying shoelaces, climbing stairs, traveling, were hard. I can do all of these things easily now, and life is so much better.
Dr. G and obesity!!
