Posted on September 16, 2008 in Latest News
With the changing life-style and food habits obesity has become a major problem all over the world. According to latest statistics report, only in USA the rate of obesity has tripled among adolescents and doubled among children. This an alarming situation as it indicates an increase in the risk of various serious diseases associated to obesity or overweight.
Here is a list of 20 serious diseases which are easily associated to overweight people:
- Diabetes: Being overweight is one of the major causes of diabetes. Diabetes is caused due to insufficient production of insulin hormone. Excess accumulated fat makes body cell resistant towards insulin, hence causing diabetes in obese people.
- Types of Cancer: Obesity increases the risk of cancer development by 25-33%. Obese person is likely to develop esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, endometrial cancer or colon cancer.
- Congestive Heart Failure: In this condition heart is unable to pump sufficient volume of blood to various body organs. Various research studies show that obesity increases the risk of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
- Heart Enlargement: In case of overweight people the heart muscles need to overwork so as to pump blood to all the body parts. This excess work done by heart muscles results in heart enlargement.
- Stroke: Improper or insufficient blood supply to brain cells results in stroke. Obese people tend to have the problem of proper blood circulation.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Due to abnormal production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone the ovary tends to form many benign cysts. Being overweight can stimulate abnormal secretion of 2 hormones hence leading to polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Pulmonary embolism can be defined as fatal blockage of arteries. It is observed that many overweight people tend to be inactive hence it results in accumulation of fat in arteries.
- Gastro-esophageal Reflux or Heartburn: This disease is highly common among overweight people. In this condition the stomach juices and acid reverts back to esophagus causing discomfort and burning sensation.
- Osteoarthritis: Overweight or excess weight tends to add-on to the pressure on the joints hence leading to osteoarthritis. This condition is associated with inflammation and pain in joints.
- Fatty Liver Disease: This condition can be defined as excess accumulation of fat in liver cells. This condition is irreversible.
- Erectile Dysfunction: This condition can be defined as regular failure to maintain or achieve erection. Obesity or overweight increases the risk of erectile dysfunction development.
- Chronic Renal Failure: Obese or overweight persons are at higher risk of chronic renal failure. In chronic renal failure the kidney completely fail to work.
- Lymph Edema: This disease is caused due to dysfunction or damage of lymphatic nodes. The risk of developing lymph edema is greater in case of obese persons as accumulated fat tends to crush its own lymphatic nodes.
- Urinary Incontinence: The inability to control urination is called as urinary incontinence. Obese person is at higher risk as they tend to have weak pelvic floor muscles and bladder.
- Depression: Depression is common problem faced by obese person. In some cases it might even lead to suicide attempts.
- Cellulitis: This condition is characterized by spreading of infection in subcutaneous and dermis skin tissues. This condition is caused due to improper lymph flow resulted due to obesity.
- Gallbladder Disease: It is observed that cholesterol levels are higher in case of overweight people. The higher levels of cholesterol lead to the gall stone formation.
- Gout: Excess accumulation of uric acid in joints results in gout. Being overweight worsen the gout condition.
- Pickwickian Syndrome: Excess weight adds pressure on the pulmonary system hence leading to pickwickian syndrome characterized by sleep apnea.
- Hernia: This condition is caused to weak and enlarged diaphragm.
How to Prevent Obesity?
Obesity can be prevented by making lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and staying active. Diets and other quick fixes only work for short-term, when compared to lifestyle changes which work for long-term. Few changes such as eating more of fruits and vegetables, staying active by taking the stairs, walking the dog etc. and keeping the junk food away can be very much beneficial to prevent obesity
As per the Surgeon General Report every year nearly 300,000 deaths are caused to obesity and the diseases associated to it. Hence it is advisable to maintain your weight and enjoy a healthy life.
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