Consequences of Obesity

One in three American adults is obese—and the number is growing. But obesity can result in serious consequences to your health! Obesity is a chronic condition in which a person has too much body fat. Excess fat stresses the body in numerous ways. In fact, obesity is directly linked to more than thirty serious illnesses, and can be a contributing factor in numerous others. One of the most serious, and possibly deadly, consequences of obesity is an increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks.  Excess body fat may lead to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Studies have found that obesity contributes to esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and breast cancer. Overweight individuals are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a disease that results in harmful levels of blood sugar in the body. Nearly 90 percent of type 2 diabetics are obese.  Doctors have also found direct ties between excess weight and high blood pressure, which increases the chances of having a stroke or kidney disease.  Other consequences of obesity are not necessarily life-threatening, but can still be serious and distressing.  Changes in hormone levels associated with excess weight can decrease fertility in obese men and women, making it harder to have children. In women, obesity can also contribute to irregular menstrual cycles.  Pregnant women who are obese are more likely to contract gestational, or pregnancy, diabetes.  Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of blood clots in the legs, as well as result in pulmonary embolisms, a condition where blood clots block lung arteries.  Overeating is a primary cause of obesity, so the digestive system may suffer. Obesity increases the likelihood that a person will contract problems in the GI tract and stomach, like liver disease and gallstones. Obesity can often lead to incontinence and a constant urge to urinate, because the extra weight pressing against the urinary tract simultaneously increases urine production and makes urinating harder.  When people are obese, it can also result in a variety of common aches and pains, because the excess weight puts too much pressure on parts of the body.  The onset and symptoms of osteoarthritis can often be linked to obesity. Carpal tunnel syndrome and heel pain can also flare up more frequently in obese people.  The complications of obesity can continue even when people are asleep. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing periodically in the night. This causes frequent bouts of sleep disturbance, and may make people with the condition tired during the day. Decreased oxygen can also cause long-term strain on the heart. Additionally, society can be cruel to those who suffer from obesity. Severe depression and eating disorders are more likely to occur in people who are overweight. Obesity can lead to a range of health consequences. But there is good news: A reduction of just five to ten percent of body weight can significantly improve health! If you have concerns about your weight, please make an appointment with your doctor.