The fourth-largest American city, Houston, TX is located in Harris County and covers 579.4 square miles. As of July 2009, 2,257,926 lived there. This marks a population increase of 15.6% since 2000. Of those residents, 19.5% lived in poverty. There is a nearly even balance between males and females in the city. 42.7% of the population is Hispanic, with the other majority balancing between White and Black. Just 5.4% are Asian.
The median age of a Houston resident is 30.9 years, slightly younger than that of the state of Texas. The state's largest city, Houston boasts many zip codes including: 77001, 77002, 77003, 77004 and 77005. The median income per household is $44,315 Renters pay a gross average of $775 per month in rent.
Houston, Texas is home to an impressive array of hospitals including the Menninger Clinic and The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research. The city also houses the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. The facility boasts 13 hospitals, including Texas Children's Hospital and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Known for its innovation in medicine, the city hosts patients from all over the world. Countless disciplines are represented, including ear, nose and throat, neurologists, plastic surgeons and cardiologists.
Everyone knows that being overweight is unhealthy. But not everyone is aware of just how serious being overweight or obese can be. Obesity and overweight leads or contributes to type 2 diabetes and several cancers as well as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Being overweight or obese is the main contributing factor in cancer deaths for 20% of women and 14% of men who succumb to cancer.
- Almost 90% of Americans with diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Type 2 diabetes can lead to nerve and kidney damage, heart disease, and blindness.
- Obesity is a major contributing factor to certain cancers. In America, being overweight or obese is the main contributing factor in cancer deaths for 20% of women and 14% of men who succumb to cancer.
If you have a BMI of 25 or above, you are considered overweight. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese, and those with a BMI of 40 or more are considered morbidly obese. Check your BMI with the calculator located here: Am I a Weight Loss Surgery Candidate?
If your BMI is above 25, you are at higher risk of developing several cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, and uterine cancer (for women). The higher your BMI, the greater your risk.
An elevated BMI also increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers theorize that excess fat in the abdomen causes the body to react to insulin, which means that weight gain is largely responsible for many cases of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have shown that obese patients who undergo weight loss surgery live longer.
The only way to prevent or reverse weight related illness is to lose weight. Studies show that weight loss surgery is the most effective method for permanent weight loss. You lose weight fast and keep weight off as compared to other methods. More importantly, researchers have shown that, on average, obese patients who undergo weight loss surgery live longer.
Preventing or Reversing Diabetes
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that 73% of overweight patients with diabetes who had gastric banding surgery and postsurgical therapy lost 21% of their total weight and saw a complete reversal of their diabetes. A 2004 study by JAMA of over 22,000 diabetic patients who had weight loss surgery showed that 86% showed improvement in their diabetes, and 77% reversed their diabetes completely.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that morbidly obese patients with diabetes had a 92% decrease in their long-term mortality rate after undergoing weight loss surgery.
Preventing Cancer
Researchers are still investigating the effect of weight loss and cancer prevention. However, studies have shown that weight gain increases the risk of breast, colon, kidney, endometrial, and esophageal cancer.
Weight loss surgery has been shown to be the most effective method of weight loss for most patients. On average, you will lose weight faster and keep the weight off, reduce the likelihood of developing weight-related illness, and actually live longer.
Only a qualified weight loss surgeon can determine if weight loss surgery is appropriate for you. A weight loss surgeon takes many factors into consideration. However, there are general guidelines. Click here to find out if you might be a candidate for weight loss surgery.
For more information about Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center, or to schedule a consultation, click here and contact us today!
