Most likely you’ve come across the word “bariatric” sentence somewhere but have you wondered what it actually is and the scope of it’s meaning?

According to a simple information glance on Google, in relation to the other words “bariatrics” means the branch dealing with the treatment and management of obese patients. In the medical context, however, the concept of “bariatric” refers to issues related with obesity, its treatment, and prevention.

Obesity refers to an overabundance of body fat and uncontrolled obesity is a considerable risk factor for health which is associated with a wide range of chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, collected osteoporosis and stroked.

Obesity is quite prevalent in America, according to a CDC survey carried out in 2015-16 in the US, the survey indicates that around 40% of the population suffers from obesity up to a certain extent.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2 classifies a person as having obesity and may be referred to as bariatric patient. BMI is a relative ratio of weight in relation to the length height of the person.

Obesity is further categorized into three according to BMI. Class 1 obesity is given to individuals with a BMI range of 30 to 34.9, class 2 of 35 to 39.9, and class 3 with 40 and above. Lower BMI with lower class means lesser risk of chronic diseases.

The clinical specialty in bariatrics concentrates on operative and non-operative managements for patients with obesity to achieve weight loss and enhance general wellbeing through dietary, exercise and behavioral modification. Bariatrics may bring to mind the more common bariatric metabolic or weight loss surgeries.

Such as a roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy, weight loss surgeries are performed to help facilitate the weight loss in patients who are obese. Even so, surgical weight loss can prevent or resolve chronic conditions.

While the phrase ‘bariatric’ may evoke most of this imagery, it may not always have anything to do with weight loss surgery.

Bariatric may as well apply to any related item designed for obese persons for their convenience. A classic example would be a bariatrics scale which is used clinically for the obese patients. Other bariatric devices are specifically designed to enhance mobility and functionality for bariatric patients effectively.