Being overweight can be a lifelong struggle. Whether you gained your excess weight gradually over the years through poor eating habits, or were left with extra weight after a pregnancy, the increased risk of major health problems is very real.
Major Health Risks
The list of major health risks associated with being overweight or obese can range from diseases having no symptoms to the sudden death of cardiac arrest: type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and pregnancy problems. Reaching and maintaining a normal weight may help you lessen the risk of these diseases.
- Type II diabetes is the major cause of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and blindness. In 2009, type II diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
- High blood pressure causes heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. The normal blood pressure reading is 120/80.
- Heart disease causes the blood vessels to harden and narrow, keeping the heart from getting all the blood it needs.
- Certain types of cancer are found in the colon and liver.
- Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted, or severely reduced by a blocked artery, or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.
- Sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness, difficulty focusing, and even heart failure.
- Osteoarthritis is the wearing-away of cartilage from pressure on joints. A substance that causes inflammation is found in higher levels in overweight people. Inflamed joints may raise the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Fatty liver disease is caused by too much fat being ingested than the liver can process. Some symptoms of fatty liver are fatigue, obesity, jaundice, dark urine, skin changes due to jaundice, abdominal pain, fluid retention, muscle wasting, or no symptoms at all.
- Kidney disease is caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Pregnancy problems include premature birth, stillbirth in the womb after twenty weeks of pregnancy, and defects of the baby’s brain or spinal cord.
Causes for Obesity
Excess weight and obesity are complex health issues to address. Obesity can be caused by a combination of factors. Individual behavior and genetics play a role in excess weight and obesity. There are other health issues that can contribute to excess weight and obesity, such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic stress, Cushing’s syndrome, and some medications taken for other conditions, such as lupus and asthma. Behaviors can include eating patterns, physical activity, inactivity, and other exposures.
Other contributing factors to excess weight and obesity in our society include the food and physical activity environment, education, skills, and food marketing and promotion. Excess weight and obesity are serious concerns because they are associated with poorer mental health, reduced quality of life, and the leading causes of death in the U.S. and worldwide. Causes of death from excess weight and obesity include diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
Weight Loss Plans
Finding the right program will help you lose the excess weight and keep it off. You should talk to your doctor before starting any weight loss program. Before you buy weight loss medication in Kennesaw, GA, ask the pharmacist to recommend a safe weight loss management program. Before you take anything for weight loss, you want to be assured that you are getting the safest weight loss medication or appetite suppressants available. If you are unable to get out, drugstore delivery is available in many locations.
