RT Book, Section A1 Robinson, Malcolm K. A1 Greenberger, Norton J. A2 Greenberger, Norton J. A2 Blumberg, Richard S. A2 Burakoff, Robert SR Print(0) ID 55957514 T1 Chapter 19. Treatment of Obesity: The Impact of Bariatric Surgery T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy, 2e YR 2012 FD 2012 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-176848-1 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=55957514 RD 2024/03/28 AB Body mass index (BMI) >25 is considered overweight; >30, grade I obesity; >35, grade II obesity; >40, grade III obesity; and >50, "super obesity."Using these criteria, two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.Diet, pharmacotherapy, and behavior modification are the available nonsurgical treatment options and are of limited efficacy, with durable weight loss rarely exceeding 10 kg.Patients with a BMI >35 can be considered for bariatric surgery if they have severe weight-related comorbid conditions (eg, diabetes, hypertension, disabling arthritis, or sleep apnea).Patients with a BMI >40 may be appropriate surgical candidates, with or without weight-related comorbid conditions.Two long-term studies of the efficacy of bariatric surgery noted a 29–40% reduction in all causes of death, with decreased mortality from coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.