5 Health Issues Caused by Obesity That You Should Be Aware Of

Obesity is defined as a condition in which a person has an unhealthy quantity of body fat or fat distribution. This condition can lead to the development of numerous diseases. Obesity also affects hormones and metabolism, as well as increases inflammation in the body as well as hormone disruption. What’s more, obese men may have higher levels of estrogen, which results in many health issues, including infertility, gynecomastia, and erectile dysfunction. 

In this article, we have gathered five health issues caused by obesity that you should be aware of.

1. High blood pressure

If you have extra pounds, your body needs additional oxygen and nutrients. Blood vessels in your body will have to pump more blood to the excess fat tissue. As a result, your heart will have to work harder to circulate blood throughout your body.

The increased pressure on the walls of your arteries is caused by an increase in the volume of blood flowing. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the term for this additional pressure. This condition puts additional pressure on your heart and blood vessels, increasing your chances of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and death.

2. Heart disease and stroke

Heart disease means a variety of heart-related issues. Obese people are at a higher risk of developing heart disease than people who have normal weight. Heart disease risk is increased by high blood pressure, abnormal blood fat levels, and high blood glucose levels. 

HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are all types of blood fats, often known as lipids. Fatty deposits may form over time in the arteries supplying blood to the heart. A heart attack can occur when arteries become narrowed. Strokes are caused by blood clots in narrowed arteries.

3. Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which someone temporarily stops breathing while sleeping. This condition makes a person snore loudly and cease breathing for a brief period of time while sleeping. Sleep apnea can induce daytime tiredness and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

People who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This is because they have more fat around the neck, which causes the airway to narrow. Snoring and difficulties breathing at night might be caused by a narrowed airway.

4. Gallbladder diseases

The gallbladder is a body organ that is crucial for storing bile and transporting it to the small intestine during digestion since bile helps digest fats. Obesity and being overweight might increase your risk of gallbladder disease.

Obese people may have greater cholesterol levels in their bile or have big, inefficient gallbladders, which can lead to gallstones. Gallstones may be excruciatingly painful and some people may need to undergo surgery to remove them.

5. Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops when your blood sugar is higher than normal. People with diabetes usually have an increased risk of heart disease, nerve damage, stroke, kidney disease, and problems with vision. Overweight or obese people are the most common type 2 diabetics.

If you have type 2 diabetes, decreasing weight and increasing your physical activity will help you keep your blood sugar levels under control. If you’re overweight, decreasing just 5 to 7% of your body weight and engaging in regular, moderate exercise might help you avoid or delay type 2 diabetes.

The bottom line

It is important to know that obesity can also lead to the development of depression and complicate your ability to conceive and bear a child. So if you are overweight or obese, losing weight can become a great opportunity to prevent the development of the aforementioned health issues. Diet and exercise together can help you lose weight gradually.