Weight was included in the study, which used a body mass index chart to determine if subjects were overweight. The BMI chart calculates weight and height, scaling the result from 19 to 40, with any index between 25 and 40 being overweight or obese. The high numbers of overweight residents did not surprise area doctors. It's a huge medical problem, although we don't have specialists for it. Most doctors treat specific symptoms of obesity, such as coronary problems, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Doctors differ on why there are few specialists in the obesity field.
Insurance won't reimburse for the obesity code because they don't recognize it as a treatable disease. The Traverse City Record-Eagle. All rights reserved.