Consequences of Obesity

Female 1: Obesity can result in serious consequences to your health, one in three American adults is obese and the number is growing.

Female 2: 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 30 serious illnesses and can be a contributing factor in numerous others. One of the most serious and possibly deadly consequences of obesity is an increase risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks. Excess body fat may lead to an increase risk of developing certain types of cancer. Studies have found that obesity contributes to gastric, colorectal and breast cancer.

Overweight individuals are also more likely to develop Type II diabetes, a disease that results in harmful levels of blood sugar in the body. Nearly 90% of Type II 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 women making it harder to have children. Obesity can also contribute to irregular menstrual cycles. Pregnant women who are obese are more likely to contract gestational or pregnancy related diabetes.

Obesity and a sedentary life style may increase the risk of blood clots in the legs as well as results in a pulmonary embolism, a condition where blood clots block long arteries. Over eating and unhealthy diets are primary causes of obesity and obese patients are more likely to suffer from indigestion and constipation. Obesity itself also increases the likelihood that a person will contract problems in the GI tract and stomach like liver disease and gallstones.

Obese women complain more often of the incontinence and intermittent strong urge to urinate. But these symptoms can go away with minor weight loss. 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. 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 balance sleep disturbance and may make people more tired during the day.

Decrease 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 but there is good news. A reduction of just 5% to 10% of body weight can significantly improve health. If you have concerns about your weight, please make an appointment with your doctor.


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