Unfortunately, obesity and health do not go well together. No wonder, we often hear obese people complaining about their health problems. Basically, obesity is nothing but too much fat in the body that eventually leads to weight gain. Being obese and overweight predisposes a person to wide range of health issues that can affect quality of life drastically. Some of the health problems caused by obesity are discussed below:
Health Problems Linked to Obesity
When day-to-day routine involves spending considerable amount of time on stationary activities like sitting on the computer, watching television and playing indoor games, one is bound to suffer from obesity. So, how can obesity negatively affect health. One of the common health issues associated with obesity are gastroesophageal reflux. Other issues are discussed below:
High Blood Pressure
Long standing obesity is likely to raise blood pressure. This is one of the health problems caused by obesity that can put a person on lifelong medications. As we all know, the heart is assigned the task of pumping fresh oxygenated blood that is circulated through arteries to different parts of the body. However, when a person is obese, the quantity of blood that the heart pumps is considerably more than normal. This increased cardiac output can exert excessive force on the artery walls, eventually leading to high blood pressure.
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases also come in the list of health problems caused by obesity. In fact, obesity tops the list of cardiovascular risk factors. As aforementioned, the cardiac output in obese patients increases drastically. However, the heart has to really work hard to push greater amount of blood through the arteries. This excessive overload for prolonged periods of time can damage the heart and may even lead to heart failure.
Diabetes
Talking about health problems caused by obesity and one simply cannot forget to mention about type 2 diabetes. The onset of diabetes has also been linked to obesity. Studies have clearly proved that being obese for a longer duration increase the chances of developing diabetes (high blood sugar levels). The reason sited is insulin resistance. The hormone insulin manufactured by the pancreas maintains normal blood sugar levels. This happens because the body responds to the actions initiated by the hormone. However, with obesity, effect of insulin does not help to control concentration of sugar in blood. Now, why does this occur? It is observed that in obesity the body fat percentage increases dramatically. The fatty tissue contain inflammatory cells that trigger reactions, which makes the body resistant to the effects of insulin.
Respiratory Problems
The consequences of obesity can also manifest in the form of breathing problems. With the addition of fat tissues, the lungs have to strive hard in order to deliver adequate oxygen to the ‘new guests’ (fat cells). Also, the rib cage that surrounds the lungs does not expand properly due to external pressure exerted by the accumulated fat in the chest and the abdominal area. This restricted expansion of lungs followed by increased demand for oxygen can cause difficulty in breathing.
Raised Cholesterol
Elevated cholesterol level has also been commonly associated with obesity. In fact obesity and high cholesterol go hand in hand. The term ‘cholesterol’ refers to a fatty substance that is present in the living cell of the body. Obesity is often the result of diet high in cholesterol. High cholesterol, which is one of the health problems caused by obesity can be fatal to the heart. This is because, excess cholesterol tends to get stuck up into the walls of arteries. This in turn can narrow the width of arteries, thus reducing the supply to the heart. Over time, the cholesterol deposits may completely block the arteries, causing a heart attack.
Involuntary Urination
Involuntary urination is an indication of bladder problems. Bladder muscles that are under the heavy load of abdominal and stomach fat may lose their ability to hold urine for longer periods. No wonder, frequent urge to urinate is strongly connected with obese people.
With increased risk of so many diseases due to obesity, it is necessary to reduce excess fat in the body. Obesity treatment mainly involves increasing physical activity and following a low fat diet. One should compulsorily follow an exercise routine daily, in order to drop those extra kilos in a healthy way. Spending 45-50 minutes on exercises like fast walking, jogging, running, jumping rope and swimming can work wonders to bring the body in good shape. On the whole, in order to stay away from health problems caused by obesity, one should follow a healthy diet (avoid fast foods and high cholesterol foods) as well as lead an active lifestyle.