Obesity is a growing epidemic worldwide. Based on the latest statistics by the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 1.9 billion overweight adults across the globe. Among these, more than 650 million were obese. The number has tripled since 1975 and as years go by, the number is steadily increasing.
If obesity is not controlled and prevented, it can lead to serious health complications. Obesity is preventable with the help of proper diet and lifestyle modifications, such as attending an MD diet clinic in Orem. The best way to curb obesity is by practicing a healthy lifestyle.
Here are the common complications caused by being overweight or obese:
Cardiovascular Disease
One of the complications of obesity is cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Extra weight increases the risk of having high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. These conditions predispose a person to potentially life-threatening conditions, such as stroke and heart attack. Losing weight has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which is now considered the number one killer in the world.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes involves having increased blood sugar levels. This condition can lead to serious complications such as kidney disease, heart disease, blindness, and peripheral neuropathy. Being obese has been shown to increase the risk of having type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. When a person is obese, the cells become insulin resistant, or they do not acknowledge the presence of insulin, which is important in the transport of glucose or blood sugar into cells to be used as energy.
Cancer
Obesity can lead to certain types of cancer, such as cancers of the endometrium, kidney, colon, breast, and esophagus. In some previous studies, scientists have also linked obesity to cancers of the ovaries, pancreas, and gallbladder. The exact cause is still unknown, but being obese has been tied to growing cancer rates.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition wherein the joints become inflamed and swollen. Its most common causes are aging and obesity. It happens when the protective cartilage that cushions the bone breaks down. Too much weight may hasten the break down of the cartilage, leading to pain and inflammation. The most common joints affected by this condition are those that are weight-bearing, specifically the ones in the lower parts of the body.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition wherein a person snores heavily and briefly then stops breathing while sleeping. It can heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke and could lead to daytime sleepiness, which isn’t ideal when you’re at work since you need to be awake and attentive to do your tasks. People with sleep apnea may improve with weight loss.
Obesity is a serious condition. Although it’s preventable and curable, you need a great deal of motivation to conquer it. People with obesity should modify their lifestyle by seeking medical help, changing their diet, and becoming more physically active. These complications can be prevented with proper health practices and with the help of weight loss clinics and experts.
