Consequences of obesity

On several occasions we have told you about the problems of obesity, a disease that in fact every year is increasing, and that every time worries much more specialists in medicine, nutrition and dietetics, and to the sanitary authorities. In this sense, when you talk so much about overweight like obesity in itself, there tends to be a special emphasis on the way to lose weight and reduce those extra kilos. But what are the Consequences of obesity? What risks and what effects does it have on health ?.

Before analyzing the main consequences we must be aware of the problem. A problem that, as we have mentioned in some moments, has increased alarmingly in recent years, to the point of becoming a real epidemic in most developed countries.

Such has been its increase that many countries have begun to put letters on the subject, prohibiting, for example, the sale of pastries and soft drinks in schools, and even France is considering to introduce a sugar rate within 2 years ( as Mexico did at the time). In fact, the World Health Organization itself identified obesity as a true epidemic in a report published in 2014.

A short time later, in March 2015, the WHO itself estimated that 2.6 million people die each year due to obesity, estimating that one billion adults are overweight. And something that still alarmed much more: 42 million children under 5 years of age are overweight.

The main effects and consequences of obesity on our health

There are different health problems that are associated both directly and indirectly with obesity and overweight (overweight). We can name them or define them as Consequences of obesity, and the most remarkable, common and alarming are the following.

Cardiovascular diseases

They are diseases within which other disorders and related conditions are included, such as: cerebrovascular accidents, coronary diseases and peripheral vascular disease. They are, in fact, the main diseases responsible for one in three deaths in men and women, and their incidence continues to increase alarmingly.

The reason is clear: Obesity predisposes to suffer cardiovascular diseases associated with high blood pressure and having high levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides. Why? Fundamentally because obese people have higher levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, as well as low levels of HDL cholesterol.

It is also common for them to have an accumulation of intra-abdominal fat (which is commonly referred to as "Apples"), which in turn is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes

It is a type of diabetes that usually and usually develops in adulthood, and that is directly associated with overweight. It is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and is especially linked to overweight and obesity.

It basically consists of a chronic and irreversible metabolism disease, in which there is an excess of glucose in the blood and in the urine, due to a decrease in the secretion of insulin or a deficiency in its action.

It is known that there is a greater risk of developing this type of diabetes when the Body Mass Index (BMI) is higher, especially in people with a family history of diabetes. Diabetes can even develop when the BMI is placed within a simple overweight, even when they have not reached obesity figures (BMI of 30).

Arterial hypertension

It is characterized by elevation of blood pressure levels or the pressure that the heart exerts on the arteries, especially in a sustained or continuous way. That is, it is about the excessively high pressure that blood exerts on the wall of our arteries.

We are faced with a chronic and usually "silent" disease, which usually shows no symptoms until it is too late, increasing the risk of heart problems (angina, heart attack or heart failure), brain (heart attack or stroke) and kidney (renal insufficiency).

Greater risk of suffering from certain types of cancer

People with overweight and obesity have a higher risk of suffering from some types of cancer, among which are:

  • Endometrial cancer: Cancer that begins and originates in the endometrium, which consists of the inner lining of the uterus.
  • Breast cancer: It can affect both men and women, although its incidence is greater especially in the latter. It appears when the cells of the glandular epithelium reproduce very rapidly and uncontrollably.
  • Colon cancer: it begins in the large intestine (colon) or in the rectum (final part of the colon).

Other consequences for health

In addition to the main consequences for health caused by obesity, which could be considered serious due to the large number of deaths that originate each year, there are also others that are equally related. They are the following:

  • Decrease in life expectancy.
  • It can lead to arthritis problems.
  • It causes depression, as well as a generally low self-esteem.
  • It can cause decreased fertility in both men and women.
This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesObesity

Obesity Health Risks (March 2024)