Obesity: A Weighty Issue for Your Facility

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults and almost 17 percent of youth in the United States are obese. Adults age 60 or over are more likely to be obese than younger adults, with 36.6 percent of men and 42.3 percent of women over the age of 60 being reported as obese.¹

Obesity is calculated by taking a person’s weight in kilograms and dividing it by their height in meters squared, rounded to one decimal place. This determines an individual’s body mass index, or BMI. Adults with a BMI of 30 or greater (for example, a person who is 5’4” and weighs 174 pounds) are considered obese.

Obesity increases an individual’s risk for a number of health conditions, including hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, strokes, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and type 2 diabetes.

The increasing number of obese seniors coming to your facility can also create logistical problems. Standard-sized furniture and equipment might not be able to accommodate residents with bariatric proportions. Fortunately, manufacturers are in tune with the rise in obesity and have developed products with this population in mind.

Professional Medical offers a comprehensive suite of products for the bariatric resident, including:

• Beds and accessories
• Commodes and shower chairs
• Lifts and transfer solutions
• Wheelchairs and recliners
• Dynamic air mattresses
• Foam mattresses

      Our highly trained territory managers are ready to help you address your facility’s specific bariatric product needs. To connect with us, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NCHS Data Brief, No. 82. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.pdf. Accessed May 30. 2013.