People with obesity possess a substantial amount of fat or poor fat distribution. Excess body fat strains the bones and organs, changing the metabolic and hormonal systems. The medical term for obesity is excess body fat. BMI is a simple way to measure obesity. Calculate your BMI on a chart or use the calculator provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to get an estimate of your BMI.
Having an obesity-related health risk, such as heart disease, doesn’t mean that you’ll develop that health problem. However, it does magnify the risk of developing one or several of those problems. Here are several health risks of obesity you must avoid through weight loss:
Heart Disease
Obesity has been shown repeatedly in studies to increase the risk of heart disease. Fat deposits may accumulate in the arteries that feed the heart. Over time, these deposits may harden and narrow the arteries, limiting blood flow to the heart and magnifying the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
As this is the health condition with the most risks involved, it is imperative to prioritize weight loss to avoid all of the comorbidities connected to heart disease.
High Blood Pressure
Extra fat tissue in the body means using more oxygen and nutrients than someone with less fat tissue. This means that your blood vessels must distribute more blood throughout your body.
Your heart must work harder to pump blood to every part of your body, including the parts with extra fat tissue. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is increased blood flow to the body. Over time, it can damage the heart and blood vessels.
Liver Problems
People who are obese commonly develop a liver disease known as fatty liver disease (NASH), which happens when there is excess fat build-up in the liver. The extra fat may damage the liver, lead to scar tissue growth (cirrhosis), and eventually liver failure. The only way to reverse or manage NASH is to lose weight, exercise, and avoid drinking alcohol.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that can cause one to stop breathing for several seconds during sleep. It is more prevalent in the overweight than other people. Fat stored around the neck can compress the airway, making it constrict and may even cause snoring. Those overweight and living with obesity are at a higher risk for sleep apnea. They tend to have more fat stored in their neck area.
Stroke
Heart attacks and strokes affect different body parts, but they share some exact underlying causes. A myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, occurs when a blockage prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the heart. Without oxygen, heart tissue dies and can no longer pump blood.
Broken blood vessels also lead to heart attacks in some cases, as does an abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
On the other hand, strokes are caused by an interruption in the blood supply to the brain. This can result from a blood vessel burst or a clot blocking an artery, restricting blood flow to the brain.
On the other hand, Strokes can lead to brain damage that affects speech and language abilities, muscle weakness, thinking and reasoning skills, and more.
Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin. If a person has obesity, weight loss of between 5 to 7 percent of their body mass, and getting regular, moderate exercise may help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey Today
The best ways to avoid these health conditions are via diet and exercise. Reduce or eliminate simple carbohydrates and sugar from your diet while increasing your physical activity to at least 30 minutes daily. You’ll start seeing the difference in your physical appearance and bodily functions over time, as you won’t suffer from any of the associated health problems above.
Stay on top of your health by setting an appointment with experts from Weigh to Wellness! We offer weight loss in Birmingham, AL, that’s managed by board-certified professionals with over 25 years of expertise. Get started on your health journey now!