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Bariatric Resource Services

Obesity is the second-leading preventable cause of death in the United States.1 Bariatric Resource Services (BRS) was developed with significant input from a panel of top clinical experts in the weight management and obesity field. Our clinically rigorous program designs build on the behavioral change model, which is proven to show a significant chance of success.


1Ali H. Mokdad, et al., “Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000,” JAMA. 2004;291:1238-1245.

Obesity is a significant contributing factor to many chronic conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea.

OptumHealth’s BRS program helps members with significant weight reduction needs get the right care—in the right place, and at the right time—while providing components that can help prevent deteriorating health status in the future. Qualifying individuals are directed to our BRS Centers of Excellence network, which has been proven to deliver higher quality outcomes and minimize quality of care variations.

Obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.1

Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese (Body Mass Index or BMI > 30) and nine million are extremely obese (Body Mass Index or BMI > 40).2

Obesity and obesity-related conditions or ailments result in at least $62.7 million in doctors’ visits and $39.3 million in lost workdays each year.3

Facts4

  • Most patients experience significant improvement or resolution of weight-related medical problems following bariatric surgery.
  • Other benefits include improved body image and self-esteem, more energy, and return to normal activities—including employment.
  • Bariatric surgery should be considered when the medical benefits of weight loss outweigh the risk of complications related to surgery.

1Ali H. Mokdad, et al., “Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000,” JAMA. 2004;291:1238-1245.

2American Obesity Association. AOA Fact Sheets: “Obesity in the U.S.” http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml.  Accessed: February 2004.

3The Endocrine Society and The Hormone Foundation, Obesity in America.org, http://www.obesityinamerica.org/economicimpact.html.  Accessed: March 2008.

4Penn State, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine, http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/b/bariatric.htm.  Accessed:  March 2008.