Body mass index 40 or 35 with comorbidity. The disease is a problem due to a combination of genetic environmental factors. It certainly runs in families. The most recent studies suggest that the tendency for morbid obesity is inherited and that family cultural factors, which encourage high calorie food intake also, play a role. If one identical twin is morbidly obese, the other has a high likelihood of being morbidly obese as well, even if adopted into the home of slim individuals.
Normal weight is difficult to define because it involves more than just height and weight.
For most Americans, however, the 1983 Height and Weight Standards of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are considered a reliable standard. Why is morbid obesity defined as 100lbs. There appears to be a considerable difference between patients who are less than 100lbs. Those who are less than 100lbs. Accordingly, unless there are unusual circumstances, we recommend that patients who do not exceed their normal weight by over a 100lbs. be treated with a vigorous dietary program under physician's supervision or with one of the commercial dietary regimens.