4 Common Health Risks of Obesity and Its Prevention
In today’s world, health should be anyone’s priority. Having good health is necessary for the body and mind to function properly. Therefore, it is crucial to consider what’s good for the body and make the necessary efforts to keep it strong and healthy. One of the common conditions that billions of people face today is obesity.
Common causes of obesity include excessive fat and sugar intake and insufficient physical activity. Moreover, people who lack sleep and have too much screen time also have a higher risk of obesity. Simply put, obesity is caused by consuming too much food without making proper efforts to burn it off.
As many might have already known, obesity may increase the risk for people to experience multiple serious health complications. Here are common health risks of obesity and its prevention.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that can begin during childhood and adulthood and is more common in adults. It occurs when the blood sugar is higher than the normal level. Type 2 diabetes is commonly linked to obesity, family history, and age. But why is being overweight and obese a risk for this health condition?
When a person has a higher Body Mass Index or BMI than normal, the body’s muscles and tissue cells become more resistant to its insulin hormone, leading to elevated blood glucose and, over time, conditions like type 2 diabetes.
In the U.S, 90% to 95% of the 37 million diabetic Americans have type 2 diabetes. Moreover, 60 million cases of diabetes were recorded in Europe due to an unhealthy diet. China has also recorded more than a hundred million adults with diabetes.
Similarly, in Australia, the most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, with an 85.5% rate among people with the condition. Thus, many people in the country have been given the option to lose around five to seven percent of their body weight naturally or undergo bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery.
This option is commonly given to people with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 or those higher than 40 and has weight-related severe health problems like type 2 diabetes. Moreover, according to Perth weight loss surgeon, Dr. Siva, a person is eligible for bariatric surgery if they are between 18 to 65 years old. The surgery will also be helpful for patients experiencing difficulty with diet and exercise.
Dr. Siva further explained that the willingness to commit to complete lifestyle modification and long-term follow-up is necessary to achieve the desired results. Lastly, the person must not have a severe illness that may prevent major surgery from being done.
Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
Heart disease is also common in people with obesity. The excess weight caused by obesity can build up fatty materials in the arteries or the blood vessels that carry blood to the organs in the body. Moreover, obese individuals also need more blood for oxygen and nutrients supply in the body.
To successfully supply what the body needs, more pressure is required to move the blood around the body, increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure and fatty buildups can damage and clog the blood vessels and nerves, unfortunately causing a heart attack in these individuals.
One step to reduce the risk of developing heart disease in people with obesity, especially those with cardiovascular disease history in the family, include regular exercise and practicing a healthy and balanced diet.
Stroke
Stroke and heart disease somehow share similar risk factors. As mentioned above, obesity can cause high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of stroke. The excess fat in the body can cause inflammation that can lead to poor blood flow and blockages. A stroke can occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.
Stroke can cause multiple disabilities, including impaired speech that can result in the slowed ability to communicate. Moreover, stroke can restrict physical abilities and functions like walking and other simple body movements. This is because stroke causes weakness and paralysis on one side of the body and further causes problems in the body’s balance and coordination.
Weight loss, maintaining a healthy body mass index, choosing a healthy lifestyle like exercise, and a proper diet are some ways to prevent strokes.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects a person’s breathing when sleeping. Common effects of this condition include stops of breathing during sleep, thus preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. One cause that is linked to this condition is excess body weight. How is this possible?
Excess weight can create pharyngeal fat. Pharyngeal fat is fat deposits in the neck that block the upper airway and restrict the airway, which can cause disruptions in breathing. One of the symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring, as the fat buildup around the neck causes the airway to shrink.
Regular exercise can help people with obesity decrease weight and fight fatigue due to insufficient rest and sleep caused by sleep apnea.
Conclusion
Losing weight can indeed be challenging, but changes in lifestyle and creating healthy choices can surely help achieve a healthier body. Consistency and discipline are also necessary steps in managing one’s health. Of course, asking for help from doctors for a proper consultation is vital to know the treatment methods necessary for your body.
