Healthy Connections
PrintA guide to better health from Backus
August 2010
Obesity levels on the rise
Obesity levels locally are higher than state and national levels, according to a recent survey of the residents in New London and Windham counties. Approximately 28% of those surveyed are considered obese.
The study, commissioned by Backus to determine the health needs of the region, was conducted by Holleran, using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance study tool. This is a national initiative, headed by the CDC that assesses the health status and risk factor among U.S. residents.
Part of the assessment included asking residents their heightand weight. Based on the statistics reported, Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for each respondent. These were the results from the survey:
| Backus | 40.2% |
| State | 47.8% |
| National | 36.3% |
| Backus | 28.4% |
| State | 21.8% |
| National | 26.7% |
According to a new national report released in June, although adult obesity rates in New England are lower than most other areas of the country, they are on the rise. In this study, by The Trust for American’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 21.4% of adults in Connecticut are obese.
Are you a candidate for weight loss surgery?
To qualify for the Backus Weight Loss Center program, patients must:
- Be at least 100 pounds overweight, or have a body mass index of 40 or a BMI of 35 and suffering from one or more severe obesity-related health problems
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have been overweight for more than five years
- Be prepared to attend regular follow up sessions and make lifestyle changes
Patients with conditions that make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results are those with:
- Inflammatory diseases n Cardiopulmonary diseases
- GI conditions — i.e. Crohn’s disease
- Cirrhosis
- Symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease
Other barriers include
- Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the dietary restrictions
- Patients with drug or alcohol addictions
- Patients who are pregnant