Obesity and Diet

Role of Anesthesiologists in Obesity

Anaesthesia and surgery may entail considerable risk for obese patients. Recent UK government statistics suggest that 20% of adults are obese and 1% morbidly obese. Obesity is a multi-system disorder, particularly involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, therefore a multidisciplinary approach is required. A Body Mass Index of >35 kg m^-2 with related to comorbidity, or >40 kg m^-2 without significant comorbidity, is considered, is considered to be morbidly obsese >55 kg m^-2 is considered super-morbidly obese. Obese patients make Anesthesiologists’ work more arduous. Obese patients, especially morbidly obese and super obese patients, are at increased risk when they need surgery.