How Does Obesity Affect Our Health?

[Guest guest]

We all hear everyday about the rise in overweight and obese Americans.

Some believe it has reach edepidemic proportions here and around the

world. Some 130 million people in the United States are considered

either overweight or obese. Some of the causes for obesity aref amily

history, heredity, nutrition and exercise. The sad thing is that most of

these are under our control and yet as a society we just continue to

gain weight. This problem is not just cosmetic for the people that are

affected; itcan have some very serious health implications. Below we

have tried to explain some of these.

 

TYPE 2 DIABETES

 

Being overweight and inactive can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes

in those thatare at risk. This is a serious disease with negative health

implications. It occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. Over time

it can lead to other conditions such as blindness, heart attack and

stroke. Over 80% of people with diabetes are either overweight or obese.

Gaining as little as 11 to 18 pounds can double the risk of getting

diabetes compared to someone how has not put onweight. The good news is

that this is treatable with diet, exercise and medication.

 

HEART DISEASE

 

This happens when fatty deposits called plaque build up on the inside

walls of the arteries.

 

These arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This condition

narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart. The chance of

having a heart attack developing heart disease increases as your body

mass index (BMI) increases. Obesity can also lead to congestive heart

failure which is a condition where the heart can not pump enough blood

to meet the body’s requirements.

 

STROKE

 

 

As your BMI increases and fatty deposits build up in your arteries you

run the chance of forming blood clots. If the clot happens to form close

to the brain it limits the blood flow and causes a stroke. Brain cells

die when they do not receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood.

 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE(HYPERTENSION)

 

This affects over 65 million people in the United States.It is often

termed the “silent killer†because many people that have

it are unaware of their condition. Being overweight or obese is one of

the risk factors. Hypertension can cause heart attack, stroke, and

damage to eyesight or blindness. If you are overweight you should speak

to your doctor and get on a program to measure your blood pressure at

regular intervals.

 

HIGH CHOLESTEROL

 

We know that weight is one of the risk factors of high cholesterol. This

is when abnormally high levels of fats build up in the blood. This can

lead to heart attacks.

 

CERTAIN CANCERS

 

Certain cancers such as colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder have

been associated with being overweight and obesity.

 

SLEEP APNEA

 

This is a common disorder for people that are overweight and is

characterized by interruption in breathing while asleep. Each pause

usually lasts from 10 to 20 seconds and can occur 20 to 30 times an

hour. This can cause people to feel very tied during the day, have a

loss of concentration and generally affect your performance. It can also

lead to depression, sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure.

 

OSTEOARTHRITIS

 

This is the most common form of arthritis. It is when the cartilage in

the joint starts to wear away causing the bones to rub together. This

causes severe pain for some people. Being overweight can increase stress

on weight bearing joints such as hips and knees although it can develop

in any joint. It tends to limit movement in those affected and can have

a negative impact on the quality of life.

 

 

GALLSTONES

 

These are stone like material that form in the gallbladder. They are

made from cholesterol and can cause pain in a person’s lower back

and abdomen. In people that are overweight or obese the chance of

developing gallstones is increased. Also in those people there is a

chance that the gallbladder can become enlarged hindering its ability to

function properly.

 

We have tried to touch on some of the more serious and common diseases

being overweight or obese can cause. Others would include gout,

reproductive problems and Gastro esophagealreflux disease or GERD. If

you or other family members have a weight problem it may be time to

consider a lifestyle change to take it off avoiding the chance of

serious medical problems down the road.

 

 

John Bradstreet is anutritional biochemist. He has extensive knowledge

and expertise in the area ofnutritional supplementation. To learn more

about this topic visit

http://worldvitaminsonline.com/healthyweightformula90tablets.aspx

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Or to our blog at http://worldvitaminsonline.wordpress.com/

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