What Are The Health Problems Associated With Adult Obesity?
Adult obesity is one of the main causes of death in the US. In 2018, its prevalence was 42%. And it is on the rise till now.
People become obese due to numerous reasons. Genetics, behavior, and environment are just three to mention among them, education, skills, and lack of physical activity too may make you obese.
Health Problems Associated With Adult Obesity!
Whatever is the reason, obesity is something one should avoid at any cost. It affects your mental health and reduces the quality of life for you. Diabetes, heart ailments, Gallbladder disease, stroke, breathing problems, osteoporosis, different types of cancers, aches and pains, and mental disorders are some of the offers obesity has in store for you.
Here is an overview of the most common among them:
- Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition when your blood sugar gets too high. This may lead to numerous other issues like nerve damage, eye problem, kidney disease, heart problems, or stroke. Regulating body weight and being physically active, according to doctors, will help someone at risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies show that almost eight out of ten types 2 diabetes patients are obese.
- Stroke
A stroke happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off for any reason. It may be the result of the blockage of blood or the bursting of a blood vessel in the neck or brain.
Stroke renders you unable to speak or partly immobile. High blood pressure is the main cause of stroke.
- Heart disease
Excess weight makes you at high risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Both are bad for your heart. Fortunately, minimizing such issues is as simple as shedding a few pounds.
- Cancer
Research shows that obesity can cause cancers of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, and kidney. Some even link obesity with cancers of the ovaries, gall bladder, and pancreas.
- Gall bladder disease
Obesity, according to health professionals, is the main cause of gall bladder disease. But the excessive loss of weight too may lead to the same condition. The smart option is to lose one pound a week. Weigh yourself at regular intervals and compare it with what your doctor recommends. Don’t go overboard with your weight loss efforts.
- Sleep apnea
This is a condition where a person stops breathing for a moment while sleeping. Obese people are prone to this disorder. This happens because of a layer of fat that surrounds their neck. This causes the airway to shrink. As a result, an obese person starts snoring. He may even find it difficult to breathe during sleep.
Shed a few pounds. This reduces the amount of fat stored around your neck. And you will reduce the risk of the conditions like sleep apnea.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
The extra fats stored in your tissues put extra strain on your heart. Such tissues require more nutrients and oxygen. This implies that your heart needs to work hard to circulate blood to these fatty tissues.
The hard work puts excessive pressure on the walls of blood vessels. This is called high blood pressure. It is bad both for your heart and nerves.
- Liver disease
Obese people are at high risk of a liver disease named fatty liver disease. This is the result of the buildup of fat in the liver. Fatty liver disease does not have any symptoms. But it may lead to liver failure. The condition may also cause scars in the organ.
The only way to recover from fatty liver disease is to shed those unwanted pounds. Exercise regularly and try to regulate the number of calories you consume.
- Complications during pregnancy
Obese women who are pregnant are prone to insulin resistance, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These conditions make pregnancy a complicated affair. They include:
- Gestational diabetes
- The need of cesarean
- Preeclampsia
- Excessive bleeding after delivery
- Blood clots
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Genetic defects
Include a bodyweight management regimen when planning to conceive. Consult your doctor and seek recommendations on the type of physical activity you can have.
Stay active, sleep well, follow a balanced diet; you will keep your body weight in check. And you will avoid a whole lot of diseases.
You may also read: How Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Obesity? Healthy Facts!