More Weight Equals Longer Hospital Stays

[The Straight Story]

More Weight Equals Longer Hospital Stays

January 1, 2009 — Sociologists found a direct relationship between obesity and duration and frequency of hospital stays. Researchers found that, on average, obese persons stayed one and a half days longer than those with normal weight. Sociologists attribute the connection to disease--46 percent of obese adults have high blood pressure. Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other illnesses. The researchers also note that the longer a person has been obese, the more likely their hospital stay is lengthened.

The numbers on our nation's scales are going up. A recent study puts Mississippi at the top of the list with the highest rate of adult obesity in the country. New research shows how extra weight is adding up to longer hospital stays.

Annette Armstead knows what it takes to stay healthy. Before she started exercising, she weighed 225 pounds.

"I was tired of people telling fat jokes," said Armstead. "I was in pain all the time. I was so heavy that my knees would give out on me, and I was always falling down."

Obesity is linked with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other illnesses.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0108-more_weight_equals_longer_hospital_stays.htm

[hobbit709]

1. Not when the hospitals kick you out because the insurance companies won't pay.

I know several people who left the hospital with still draining surgical wounds because the insurance wouldn't pay for a longer stay. Only about half were overweight to any degree.

[theoldman]

2. Many doctors will not do surgery on obese people.

They tend to die during surgery when anesthetized.

[cutlassmama]

3. That depends on their health status at the time.

[eilen]

4. That is ridiculous

Most surgical candidates are over 45 and most are obese. Particularly for bypass, gallbladder and orthopedic surgery. They are operated on. Believe me.

You have to reach over 300 lbs plus and comorbidities like diabetes or copd for surgeons to question the safety of surgery.