10 harmful effects of life-threatening obesity

The harmful effects of obesity can seriously affect a person’s physical and mental health. Obese patients are prone to many dangerous conditions, which reduce quality of life, disability and reduce life expectancy.

So what are the harmful effects of obesity? Please join Hello Bacsi to find out!

1. Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

One of the most dangerous effects of obesity is causing type 2 diabetes.

The Nurses’ Health Study of 114,000 middle-aged women over 14 years found a higher risk of developing diabetes in women with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher at the start of the study. 93 times that of women with a BMI lower than 22.

You may be interested: 8 causes of obesity that put you at risk

Weight gain in adulthood also increases the risk of diabetes, even in women with a healthy BMI. This relationship is similar for men.

Fat cells, especially those stored around the waist, secrete hormones and other substances that cause inflammation. Abnormal inflammation can make the body less responsive to insulin and change the way the body metabolizes fats and carbohydrates. This leads to higher blood sugar and eventually to diabetes and its many complications. If you are obese, losing just 5-7% of your body weight combined with regular exercise can prevent your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

2. Obesity leads to many heart problems

What are the effects of obesity? Excessive body weight is directly related to various cardiovascular risk factors. As BMI increases, so do blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol), triglycerides, blood sugar, and inflammation. These changes increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death.

Research has shown that overweight people have a 32% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than normal weight people, and obese people have an 81% higher risk. Being overweight increases the risk of ischemic stroke by 22% and obesity increases this risk by 64%… However, losing just 5-10% of your body weight will help reduce blood pressure, LDL -cholesterol, triglycerides while improving other cardiovascular risk factors.

3. Harm of obesity causes cancer

The link between obesity and cancer is not as clear as it is for diabetes and heart disease. However, there is ample evidence that obesity is a risk factor for a wide range of different cancers.

In a comprehensive review of the data, published in 2007, an expert panel from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer concluded that there is compelling evidence of an association. between obesity and cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, colorectal, breast, endometrial, and kidney; and there may be a link between obesity and gallbladder cancer.

For people with severe obesity, mortality rates increase for all types of cancer. The mortality rate is 52% higher in men and 62% higher in women.

4. Obesity increases the risk of depression

Although the biological link between obesity and depression is still poorly defined, possible mechanisms include inflammatory activation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal changes, insulin resistance, and insulin resistance. influences from social or cultural factors.

There is evidence that the relationship between obesity and depression is bidirectional. A meta-analysis of 15 long-term studies that followed 58,000 participants for 28 years found that those who were obese at the start of the study had a 55% higher risk of developing depression at the end of the follow-up period. On the other hand, people who were depressed at the start of the study had a 58% higher risk of being obese.

5. Obesity impairs reproductive function

Obesity can affect various aspects of reproduction, from sexual activity to conception.

Obesity can make it harder for women to get pregnant. Not only that, obesity also increases the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and complications during labor and delivery. It also slightly increases the chance of birth defects in the baby. One small trial found that moderate weight loss improved fertility in obese women.

Male sexual function and fertility are also affected by weight. The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases as BMI increases. The prevalence of low sperm count and poor sperm motility increased with BMI, from 5.3% and 4.5% in normal-weight men and 15.6% and 13.3% in men, respectively. obese men.

6. The harmful effects of obesity that hinder breathing

Excess weight impairs respiratory function through mechanical and metabolic pathways.

The accumulation of belly fat can restrict the movement of the diaphragm, hindering the expansion of the lungs.

The accumulation of visceral fat can reduce chest wall flexibility, respiratory muscle strength, and narrowing of the airways in the lungs.

Cytokines produced by the low-level inflammation associated with obesity can also interfere with lung function.

Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are two common respiratory diseases associated with obesity. Obesity is also a major cause of sleep apnea. This condition is associated with daytime sleepiness, accidents, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. However, clinical trials have shown that weight loss can be helpful in treating sleep apnea.

7. Obesity impairs memory and cognitive function

Being overweight or obese is one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A meta-analysis of 10 studies including nearly 42,000 subjects followed for 3 to 36 years demonstrated a link between BMI and Alzheimer’s disease. Compared with normal weight, obese people had a 42 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

8. Obesity affects the musculoskeletal system

Obesity can reduce bone density and muscle mass. This leads to a higher risk of fractures, physical disability, insulin resistance and poorer overall health.

The extra weight can also put a lot of pressure on the joints, leading to pain and stiffness.

Obesity also increases the risk of back pain, lower extremity pain and disability due to musculoskeletal conditions.

9. Harm of obesity causes skin diseases

Rashes can occur in places where there are folds because of excess weight on the body.

Acanthosis nigricans, which is characterized by dark patches of skin that appears in places like the armpits, groin, and neck, can also be caused by obesity. The exact pathogenesis of obesity-associated acanthosis nigricans is still not fully elucidated however numerous reports have shown that obese patients with acanthosis nigricans have higher insulin and c-peptide levels. compared with the obese group. Therefore, it is hypothesized that obesity and acanthosis nigricans have a common pathophysiological basis .

10. Obesity and other health conditions

Obesity can be a risk factor for many other serious health problems, such as gallstones, gout, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

What are the effects of obesity? Hope you got the answer. The harmful effects of obesity affect almost every aspect of health. However, weight problems are completely preventable and solvable. Limiting energy consumption, adding fruits and vegetables to your diet, and exercising regularly are all helpful methods to help you lose weight and maintain good health.