Obesity is a health condition which makes you prone to other diseases. Aside from having lots of bulges and unwanted extra fat in your body, being obese means being exposed to obesity health risks. If being fat does not warrant your willingness to engage in weight management program, maybe the awareness of the following health risks of obesity will.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading obesity risks. Putting extra weight in your body will result to an increased demand for oxygen and nutrients in the body. These factors will result to blood flow and insulin level increases as well. Gaining weight means an increase pressure on your arteries and veins, along with an increased blood volume.
Diabetes
One of the obesity risks is diabetes. According to health surveys, obesity is one of the factors that contribute to diabetes. This is primarily because gaining weight will lead to an increased level of insulin. Generally, our body’s ability to absorb insulin decreases as we gain more excess fat that is stored in our body. Once our body becomes resistant to insulin, our blood sugar level will increase, and that results to diabetes.
Coronary Artery Disease
If you are obese, there is a high possibility that you will develop a cardiovascular disease. Technically, when you gain weight, your body will find it hard to absorb the fat that you consume. As such, this results in the build-up of fat deposits in your arteries. When these fatty acids build-up, the arteries that bring blood to your heart can narrow down. As a result, the blood flow to your heart will considerably decrease and this can cause angina.
Stroke
Among the most fatal obesity risks is stroke. Obesity can cause stroke since it is very much associated with atherosclerosis. Once fatty deposits build up in the arteries that bring blood to your brain, blood clots will form. Once the blood clots form in your arteries, the blood flow to your brain will be limited. If the blood flow will be completely blocked, this can result to a stroke.
Osteoarthritis
Weight gain which characterizes obesity can also result to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is included in the obesity risks since the excess weight can result to extreme pressure on joints. As a result, the cartilages in our knees, hips, and lower back can wear off. Osteoarthritis characterized by pain and stiffness may occur.
Cancer
In women, being overweight contributes to an increased risk for a variety of cancers including breast, colon, gallbladder, and uterus. Men who are overweight have a higher risk of colon and prostate cancers.
Gallbladder Problems
Gallbladder diseases are included in the list of obesity risks. Generally, this is because overweight people produce more fats and cholesterol which the body cannot absorb entirely. The cholesterol and fat can build up in the gallbladders. Therefore, gallstones can develop a lot easier.
Fatty Liver Disease
Being overweight results in excess fat stored not just in your arteries and your gallbladders, but in your liver as well. When fat builds up in your liver, you can experience inflammation and scarring in your liver. This can also result to severe cirrhosis.
Psychosocial Effects
In a culture where often the ideal of physical attractiveness is to be overly thin, people who are overweight or obese frequently suffer disadvantages. Overweight and obese persons are often blamed for their condition and may be considered to be lazy or weak-willed. It is not uncommon for overweight or obese conditions to result in persons having lower incomes or having fewer or no romantic relationships. Disapproval of overweight persons expressed by some individuals may progress to bias, discrimination, and even torment.
Other Health Risks
The stored fat in the body can yield many diseases. Aside from the aforementioned health conditions, extra weight has been linked to various cancers and fertility problems. Obesity can also cause problems during pregnancy.