Many people in today’s society are considered overweight by medical professionals, however, those who are considered obese face greater health complications. As obesity rates increase every year, it’s important that everyone understands the long-term health risks and complications associated with excess weight.
Thomas Cothren explains that diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory issues are common complications that arise in people who are obese. Women that are considered obese also have increased risks of reproductive issues, cancer, and decreased longevity.
Weight problems can also cause issues with mobility, relationships, and social connections, significantly lowering a person’s quality of life.
Below, Thomas Cothren of Maryland looks at how obesity affects the body and why losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle is essential for living a longer, happier life.
Long-Term Obesity and its Effects on the Body
Obesity is extremely hard on multiple areas of the body, especially the joints and organs. It can also lead to significant health problems explained in further detail below:
Diabetes
There is a strong link between diabetes and obesity. In fact, people that have struggled with weight for a long period of time are roughly 80 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who maintain a healthy weight. There are a few reasons why excessive weight is linked to a much higher risk of diabetes:
- Excess abdominal fat produces an inflammatory response that increases insulin resistance
- The changes to the body’s metabolism lead to decreased insulin sensitivity
Cardiovascular Disease
Obesity is strongly related to cardiovascular diseases including:
- COPD
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Vascular Dementia
- Stroke
The link is so strong between these diseases and weight due to the buildup of fatty material within the arteries. Arteries are responsible for carrying blood to the organs, so the damage caused by fatty buildup can have severe consequences like heart attacks or strokes.
There are three associated risks that correlate strongly between obesity and cardiovascular disease: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and risk of Type 2 diabetes. Each of these conditions affect the heart and circulatory systems, and the damage is often irreversible.
Respiratory Disease
Obesity largely affects the mechanics of the lungs and chest wall. These changes can cause a number of respiratory issues including asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, wheezing, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Musculoskeletal Disorders
The excess weight that a person carries strongly affects the musculoskeletal structure. This can lead to issues with the spine, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and shoulders. Commonly, there is a higher risk of fractures, and an even greater risk of requiring joint replacement surgeries, developing osteoarthritis, and soft tissue damage, including tears in tendons and cartilage.
Other Effects
Obesity can also cause sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, digestive disorders like GERD, incontinence, and gallbladder inflammation.
How a Healthy Lifestyle Makes a Difference
Living a healthy lifestyle with proper dieting and consistent exercise can greatly increase one’s lifespan. Studies have found that severely overweight people are more likely to die 10-15 years sooner than the average person. However, small dietary and activity changes can make a huge difference.
For example, reducing weight by only 5% can decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 50% when paired with sustained moderate exercise. Similar comparisons can be made for every other health impact mentioned in this article.
