Obesity is a treatable and curable disease associated with the accumulation of excess fat in the body. A person with a BMI is considered obese, while someone who is overweight has a BMI of 25 or more.
Obesity is now a significant health problem worldwide, with more than 1.9 billion adults overweight and more than 650 million of them obese. Once considered a health problem in developed countries, obesity is now a major health problem in middle and low income countries.
There are various causes of obesity such as:
- Genetics
- Unhealthy eating habits
- sedentary lifestyle
- Psychological factors
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Lack of sleep
- Drugs
What makes this condition even worse is its ability to cause many chronic degenerative and metabolic diseases. Researchers, around the world, claim unanimously, that undernutrition or overnutrition accounts for more than two-thirds of the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of experiencing metabolic disorders, compared to people who have a healthy or ideal weight.
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity is said to be one of the significant factors for type 2 diabetes due to excess fat accumulation. These stored fat molecules are released pro-inflammatory chemicals which interfere with the structure and function of insulin-releasing and responding cells.
This causes insulin resistance. In addition, with the deposition of fat on the surface of responsive cells, their sensitivity to insulin also decreases.
All these factors contribute to an increase in complications of diabetes mellitus.
Cardiovascular disease
Excess fat accumulation is a hallmark of obesity. This is the reason why people who are overweight have higher levels of blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol.
In addition to adipose tissue and visceral organs, this excess fat accumulates in blood vessels restricting the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hence, it results in various related problems like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart attack.
Hypertension
When excess fat builds up in the blood vessels, it impedes blood flow causing increased resistance and consequently, increased arterial pressure. In addition, the pressure on the kidneys also increases due to increased tension from the pockets of fat around the visceral organs and abdominal cavity.
This impairs the reabsorption capacity of the kidneys, making the kidneys retain more sodium in the body. As a result of this condition, electrolyte imbalance occurs which results in hypertension.
Osteoarthritis
The most significant influence of obesity on the musculoskeletal system is through the problem of osteoarthritis. It is characterized by pain and swelling in the joints along with reduced mobility. As you gain weight, the stress on your bones and joints increases dramatically, which reduces your body’s movement. It is said that a 10 pound weight gain can increase the stress on joints by 50 pounds.
In addition, excess fat produces constant low-grade inflammation, which is also degenerative for joints, bones and cartilage.
Cancer
Worldwide, research has established a clear link between obesity and disease, especially of the colon, pancreas, breast, kidney, GIT, uterus, and gallbladder. Various reasons that contribute to it can be
- Low levels of inflammation for a long time cause DNA damage which further stimulates cell division and ultimately, cancer
- Increased secretion of the hormone estrogen from excess fat cells is associated with the risk of cancer, especially of the endometrium, breast, ovary, etc.
- Fat cells also secrete a chemical called adiponectin, which stimulates cell division and growth.
The wide spread of obesity and related degenerative disorders is largely related to the modern lifestyle. With increasing urbanization and progress, people struggle to balance health and work, which, in turn, greatly affects individual well-being. Therefore, it is very important to realize and practice a healthy way of life.
- Eat a balanced diet including all food groups in ideal and measurable proportions
- Exercise or go for a walk – at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week
- Try doing meditation or yoga– to stay stress free
- Ensure proper sleep – for 6-7 hours
Most importantly, if you are struggling with excess weight and want to lose it healthily, it is always advisable to enroll in a weight loss program. But, don’t do it rashly; go through reviews, analyze what you want to achieve and the possible results.
It is best to choose a program that uses a natural approach to weight loss along with certified expert guidance and nutrient-dense natural foods.
If you are looking for a real and practical approach then, Heavy program is the best solution. This program not only helps in weight management but also educates you on how to maintain the lost weight.
