Being obese is more than just potentially embarrassing and uncomfortable. There are also numerous health risks involved with obesity as well. In the United States alone, approximately
300,000 deaths are attributed to obesity. In addition, being obese makes it more likely that you will develop a number of potentially life-threatening diseases.
Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
Type 2 diabetes, also referred to as adult onset diabetes, is one of the most common health risks of obesity. Individuals who suffer from central obesity in which the excessive fat is primarily located around the waist are at the greatest risk. In addition, your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes almost directly corresponds to just how obese you are and how long you have been obese.
Even if type 2 diabetes does not develop, another health risk of obesity is the development of insulin resistance. Insulin is needed to transport blood glucose to the cells in your muscles.
Insulin also transports glucose to your fat cells where it is used for energy. If you develop insulin resistance, your body is not capable of properly processing the energy. One of the primary causes of insulin resistance is obesity. This condition is often referred to as pre-diabetes because it is often the precursor to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Cancer
Research has not been conclusive at this point, but anecdotal evidence indicates that obese men
and women have an increased likelihood of developing colon cancer. In addition, obese men are more likely to develop prostate and rectum cancer, while obese women are more likely to develop cancer in the uterus and in the gallbladder.
Furthermore, fatty tissue is needed to produce estrogen and some evidence suggests.
Therefore, obese women are more likely to develop breast cancer, particularly in women
who are postmenopausal, due to the prolonged estrogen exposure that results.
Circulatory Disorders
There are also a number of health risks of obesity that affect the circulatory system. For example: Obese individuals are more likely to develop high blood pressure and to have high cholesterol, both of which place excess stress on the heart. Ultimately, these factors may lead to congestive heart failure and heart attack. An obese individual may also develop an enlarged heart, a pulmonary embolism and varicose veins.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
There are a number of gastrointestinal health risks connected with obesity. For example,individuals who are overweight are more likely to develop fatty liver disease, hernias, and gallstones. They are also more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which can also lead to cancer if left untreated.
Respiratory Disorders
A slew of respiratory disorders are also associated with obesity. For example, you are at a greater risk of developing asthma if you are obese, as well as dyspnea and Pickwickian syndrome. Pickwickian syndrome is characterized by failure to breathe properly, a red face, and a general feeling of drowsiness. You are also more likely to experience obstructive sleep apnea, which causes you to periodically stop breathing while sleeping and results in feeling poorly rested in the morning.
Neurological Disorders
Additional health risks of obesity include neurological disorders. As an obese individual,
you are at a higher risk of having a stroke and experiencing headaches. In addition, you may
experience dementia. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is characterized by a tingling or numb
feeling in the hands and even in the arms, may also develop as increased pressure is placed on the nerves by the excess fat.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders are also more likely to develop in obese individuals as excessive
pressure is placed on the bones, the muscles, and the joints. Hyperuricemia, which then leads
to gout, is more likely to develop. An obese individual may also develop low back pain and osteoarthritis of the hips, knees, and back. Ultimately, obesity may lead to partial or complete immobility as the muscles and bones are no longer capable of properly supporting the body.
Psychological Disorder
Of course, there are a number of psychological health risks of obesity as well. Individuals who
are obese may experience depression as they feel helpless in their battle against their weight
or they cope with low self-esteem due to poor body image coupled with social issues.
It's important to note that there is a difference between being slightly overweight and obese.
Being slightly overweight implies weighing only a few pounds beyond what is considered to be
ideal, while being obese involves being significantly overweight. The exact number of excess pounds that qualify a person as obese, however, varies from person to person in accordance with other
body factors such as height, body frame, and muscle mass.
Individuals who are only slightly overweight do not experience the same health risks of obesity.
In fact, some evidence shows that being only slightly overweight may be healthier than
maintaining what is considered the ideal body weight . So, there's really no need to fret over a
few extra pounds.
However, if you are obese, and not just slightly overweight, please consider the many health
risk factors you're carrying along with that extra weight.
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