Obesity and overweight are associated with many adverse health effects. Nearly 300,000 Americans lose their lives prematurely due to obesity related complications. Here is a list of 16 bad consequences of obesity.
- Diabetes: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases progressively as your Body Mass Index (BMI) increases. If your BMI is over 30, you are up to ten times more likely to get diabetes.
- High blood pressure: Obesity is considered to be an important cause of hypertension. It is estimated that more than a quarter of high blood pressure cases are due to increased body weight.
- Ischemic heart disease: Increased abdominal fat is associated with high incidence of coronary heart disease, such as angina and heart attack.
- Heart failure: Congestive cardiac failure is one of the recognised feature of obesity. Even if you are healthy otherwise, being obese still can cause heart failure.
- High cholesterol level: Increased body weight is linked to high levels of triglyceride and low levels of HDL; the good cholesterol.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: It is a condition in which oxygen supply to the brain is intermittently cut off during sleep. The commonest cause of this condition is overweight.
- Gout: It is a disease that results from increased levels of uric acid in the body. The uric acid forms tiny crystals and they are deposited in the joints causing arthritis.
- Sub-fertility: The effects of obesity on human reproductive system are well known. It can cause reduced fertility in both males and females.
- Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It affects females in their reproductive age. Acne, facial hair growth, irregular periods, and sub-fertility are common features of this disease.
- Osteoarthritis: It is a common joint disorder caused by wear and tear due to increased body weight and ageing.
- Gallstones: Formation of stones in the gallbladder is common among obese individuals, particularly in women.
- Gastric reflux: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is one of the common complications of obesity.
- Psychological effects: Being overweight has serious psychological effects, such as low self esteem, feeling of rejection, and depression.
- Low back pain: Spinal dysfunction due to increased body weight is one of the main causes of low back pain.
- Cancer: Obesity is associated with increased risk of breast, oesophagus, and bowel cancers. Recent studies show there is a possibility of increased incidence of other cancers, such as kidney, pancreas, thyroid, and gallbladder.
- Mechanical difficulties: One of the major effects of overweight on the quality of life is mechanical difficulties, such as difficulty in getting into the car, finding comfortable chair, and sexual difficulties.
Read about obesity in children.
