Effects of Overweight on your Health

Being overweight or obese means you weigh more than your ideal weight. It’s calculated by BMI (Body Mass Index); 30 or higher is considered obese. 

Obese people have greater chances of building a range of serious medical issues. These health issues impact nearly every part of the body, which includes, brain, heart, blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, bones and joints. 

In addition, specific health concerns may be linked to certain social and emotional problems. 

In this blog post, take a look at several effects of being overweight on your health. 

But before that, let’s understand various symptoms and the risk factors responsible for obesity.

 

Symptoms 

The most obvious symptom is the gain in weight. Along with it, there are several symptoms mentioned below:

1.Excessive sweating
2. Lethargy
3. Skin folds’ infections
4. Depression
3. Shortness of breath
4.Back/joint pains
5.Intolerance to heat
6.The appearance of stretch marks
7.Large waist circumference

 

Causes 

Being overweight is generally a result of a combination of various factors and causes. 

Let’s have a look at them.

1. Family inheritance: Your parents’ genes may impact the amount and the place of body fat you store in your body. 

 They also play an influential role in efficiently converting your food into energy, managing your appetite, and burning your calories.

2. Your lifestyle choices

Lack of activity: An inactive lifestyle can prompt you to take in more calories than you  burn through exercise and other daily physical activities.

Liquid calories intake: People usually consume a ton of calories without feeling full, especially from alcohol. Similarly, other sweet beverages, such as sugary soft drinks, can result in significant weight gain.

Poor diet: A diet that incorporates high sugary food items, fast food, etc. but lacks fresh fruits and vegetables significantly contributes to obesity. 

Stress: Your mood can also lead to obesity. Individuals often consume high-calorie and sugary food when suffering from stressful conditions.

Inadequate sleep: Lack of sleep or even too much sleep can cause changes in hormones that can boost appetite. One may also crave foods high in calories, leading towards weight gain.

3. Specific medications or diseases: In some cases, obesity can be traced to a certain disease such as arthritis, cushing syndrome and so on. 

Likewise, certain medications also tend to cause weight gain if you don’t compensate for them via a healthy diet and regular exercise.

4. Social and economic concerns: Preventing obesity is troublesome if your area lacks proper areas to exercise or walk. If your home does not practice healthy cooking, then you may consume poor food. 

Moreover, if you spend time with your peers who practice bad eating and inactivity, you may suffer from obesity. 

 

Effects of obesity/overweight on your body

Below are the various body systems which get affected due to obesity. 

1. Respiratory system: Fat deposited around the neck can make the airway small, which in turn, can make your breathing difficult at night (Sleep apnea). Breathing might even stop for short periods of time in people in this condition.

2. Nervous system: Obesity immensely enhances the risk of stroke, in which the blood flow to your brain stops. It can even impact your mental health. This comprises greater risk for depression, reduced self-esteem, and body image concerns.

3. Digestive system: Obesity is related to a greater risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It happens when stomach acid leaks into the oesophagus. Moreover, obesity increases the risk of building gallstones. This is when bile increases and gets coarsens in the gallbladder.  Fat can also build up around the liver and lead to liver damage, scar tissues, and even liver failure.

4. Muscular and skeletal systems: Obesity can result in weakening bone density and muscle mass. This is known as osteosarcopenic obesity. It can cause a greater risk of fractures, insulin resistance, physical disability, and bad health consequences. Being overweight can also put pressure on the joints, resulting in pain and rigidity.

5. Your quality of life: Obesity can lessen your life’s quality. You may not be able to perform those activities in which you used to find enjoyment. You may even avoid public places. 

Other overweight concerns that can affect your quality of life are:

1. Shame and guilt
2. Social isolation
3. Disability
4. Depression
5. Inferior work achievement

 

Takeaway 

If you’re overweight, you can regulate the risk factors mentioned above with an effective combo of a healthy diet, daily exercise, and several other lifestyle changes.

Our team of experts can assist you with your obesity-related health concerns. Talk to us about losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Book your appointment here.