Morbid obesity: the disease and comorbidities.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the disease of morbid obesity, its causes, and its impact upon an individual's life. Medical personnel must have a clear understanding that morbid obesity is a disease largely due to genetic makeup and not a personality defect or lack of control. The intention is to show how morbid obesity contributes to many comorbidities that are costly, decreases quality of life, and is life-threatening. Providing a better understanding will hopefully facilitate more compassionate care among nurses who care for this population.