Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
05:10
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Increasing Obesity Severity Is Associated With Less Surgical Care in the United States
Michael Kachmar1,2, Florina Corpodean3,4, Hector J Garcia Navas3,4
1Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|June 9, 2026
Summary
Despite rising obesity rates, individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) undergo fewer surgeries. This trend highlights potential disparities in surgical care access for obese populations, warranting further investigation into associated health risks.
Area of Science:
- Surgical outcomes research
- Public health and epidemiology
- Obesity and metabolic disease
Background:
- Obesity prevalence is increasing, with the highest body mass index (BMI) categories growing most rapidly.
- Obesity is linked to a higher surgical disease burden, suggesting a potential increase in surgical care needs.
- Understanding trends in surgical care for different BMI groups is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether individuals with higher BMI have proportionally received more surgical care over time.
- To analyze surgical operative volume trends across various BMI categories.
- To identify potential disparities in surgical care access related to obesity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of over 11.6 million multispecialty cases from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2005-2022).
- Utilized multinomial logistic regression to assess trends across BMI categories (e.g., <30.0, 30.0-39.9, 40.0-49.9, 50.0-59.9, 60.0-69.9, ≥70.0 kg/m²).
- Adjusted for demographic factors and comorbidities to ensure robust analysis.
Main Results:
- Regression models indicated a decrease in the odds of surgery for patients with BMI ≥50.0 kg/m² over consecutive years, with steeper declines in higher BMI groups.
- Patients in the BMI 30.0-39.9 kg/m² category showed an increased proportional operative volume.
- Significant disparities in surgical care utilization were observed across different BMI strata.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with higher BMI (≥50.0 kg/m²) are undergoing fewer surgical operations annually, despite their increasing population prevalence.
- These findings suggest potential inequalities in surgical care access for individuals with severe obesity.
- Rising obesity rates may exacerbate poor access to surgical care and lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to advanced disease presentation.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...