Hi Pam - your friend is "regular" obese, not morbidly obese. 5' and 155 is BMI 30.3 not over 40. She would be characterized as "chunky" in my book and my guess is she would wear size 12 or 14.

Pam, the reason people are big is literally the food we are fed. You are probably one of the 25% of people who has a healthier microbiome, you probably eat a lot less processed and fast food, and you probably don't eat a lot of sugar, drink sweetened drinks, or eat heavy pasta meals.

That being said, the AMA has also just told physicians to stop emphasizing BMI and look more at health measures. I write about wellness and health and - I read your article because my grandmother, too, would be appalled and roll over in her grave at how many people are overweight or obese these days (3 out of 4 adults, half of children). But the only part of it that is in most people's control is avoiding processed foods. Many people are unwilling to take that step. If people go back to eating simple foods (fruits, veges, grains, limited meat) they will miraculously look like they did back in the days before the entire middle section of every grocery store and all the restaurants except fine dining were invented.