7 Health Issues Associated With Obesity

People frequently attribute their obesity problem to processed or junk food. An individual is deemed obese if his or her weight exceeds 20% of the normal range for that person’s height.

Keep in mind, though, that not everyone who is obese will experience all of these health problems. If someone in your family has a health problem, your risk of developing one also rises.

Check out a few health conditions that are linked to obesity or overweight individuals.

1. Heart Problems

An individual with excess fat may be more prone to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The occurrence of different kinds of heart problems or strokes is primarily caused by both of these conditions. Fortunately, losing even a little weight can lower your risk of developing heart disease or a stroke. Simple weight loss of about 10% can reduce your risk of developing heart problems.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is a major factor in the majority of Type 2 diabetes cases. You can take various steps to reduce the odds of getting affected by Type 2 diabetes, such as,

• By losing weight

• Having a balanced diet

• Exercising regularly

• Sleeping adequately

If you already have Type 2 Diabetes, losing weight and increasing your physical activity will help you manage your blood sugar levels. Your need for diabetes medication will decrease as you become more physically active.

3. Gallbladder Disease

The likelihood of developing gallstones and a gallbladder infection increases if a person is overweight. Unexpectedly, losing weight can increase your risk of developing gallstones, particularly rapid weight loss or excessive weight loss. However, if you lose about 1 to 2 kilograms of weight a week, your risk of developing gallstones will decrease.

4. Cancer

Knowing that obesity is linked to various cancers that affect body parts like the colon, breast, kidney, endometrium, and esophagus is quite shocking. A few studies and investigations have discovered links between obesity issues and cancers of the ovaries, pancreas, and gallbladder.

5. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint condition that can affect the patient’s hip, back, or knee. Because of the extra weight, the joints are under additional strain, which eventually damages the cartilage. Simply choosing weight loss, which may also improve your osteoarthritis condition, will help to lessen the strain on your lower back, knees, and hips.

6. Gout

This medical condition has an impact on a person’s joints. The cause of this issue is an excess of uric acid in the blood, which eventually crystallizes into a form that gets stored in the joints. You might be surprised to learn that obese or overweight people are more likely to develop gout than healthy people. In fact, being overweight increases a person’s risk of developing gout. If you currently have gout and intend to lose weight, you should speak with your doctor first.

7. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea and the obesity epidemic are related, it is true. When snoring becomes a problem while sleeping, sleep apnea develops as a breathing disorder. The risk of a heart attack or stroke rises with sleep apnea. It is frequently the cause of daytime sleepiness. The proper weight loss, however, has been shown to significantly improve sleep apnea.