Obesity Causes These 10 Health Issues & Diseases Among Women
Obesity not only causes numerous lifestyle diseases but also dreadful health conditions in women. However, a little weight loss can help shrink the chances.
None of us want to be overweight or obese. Yet, except for the few of us who gain weight owing to some health condition, most of us surrender ourselves to those “occasional” binge-eating bouts. Often, we avoid eating healthy foods. As a result of this, more often than not, we fall prey to numerous lifestyle diseases that make our lives worse.
In today’s article, we shall talk about 10 lifestyle diseases that are direct outcomes of obesity or being overweight. Take a look –
1. Heart Diseases
Heart diseases are common among people who are obese or massively overweight.
The deposition of fat on the arteries leads to an excess of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and triglycerides, which ultimately lead to heart blocks, heart attacks, and other similar diseases.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one of the root causes of numerous other health issues, including liver dysfunction, nerve issues, kidney problems, stroke, and even heart diseases.
You would be surprised to know that obesity is one of the major causes of Type 2 Diabetes – which occurs when blood sugar levels rise in the body.
3. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a health condition that makes a person stop breathing momentarily while asleep.
This generally occurs among obese people, who have specifically large amount of fat around the neck.
The deposition of excess fat around the neck shrinks the air passages, which leads to snoring and difficulty in breathing at night.
4. High Blood Pressure
Tissues with excess fat tend to require more nutrients and oxygen to survive. As a result, the blood vessels circulate more blood to these tissues containing excess fat, which ultimately leads to working harder to pump blood across the entire body.
Now, this increased flow of blood exerts more pressure on the walls of the arteries, thus causing hypertension or high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, for a prolonged period of time, may lead to heart diseases.
5. Stroke
Although stroke and heart attacks share numerous similar causes, stroke primarily occurs when the blood flow to the brain is cut off.
Stroke can sometimes cause immense damage to the cell tissues of the brain, as a result of which a person might have a speech impairment, weakened reasoning skills and understanding capabilities, and weakened muscles.
While stroke is caused by numerous factors and lifestyle issues, obesity has been found as the root cause of strokes in more than 64% of cases.
6. Complications In Pregnancies
You have often heard gynecologists recommending weight loss to patients, who are overweight and wish to become mothers.
This is because obese pregnant women tend to develop numerous diseases and health conditions, including gestational diabetes, miscarriage, blood clots, stillbirth, premature deliveries, heavier bleeding than normal deliveries, and insulin resistance among others.
It is always recommended to have a BMI of less than 40 to get pregnant with a lesser risk factor.
7. Certain Types Of Cancer
Excess body fat leads the course to numerous types of cancer in women, including post-menopausal breast cancer, colorectal, and uterine cancers.
According to experts, the ever-increasing visceral fat is one of the prime reasons for causing cancers around the vital organs in women.
While numerous other reasons may also cause cancer, you can definitely lose your extra weight easily by following some easy yet expert tips.
8. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is an extremely common yet severely painful joint condition that targets the hip, knees, and back. When extra pressure is exerted on these joints as a result of increased weight, the cartilages tend to wear away. This condition is called osteoarthritis.
Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured altogether, the pain can be eased to a great extent by losing weight.
9. Gout
One of the most painful forms of arthritis, gout occurs when there is a tremendous increase in uric acid in your blood. These extra uric acid forms crystals that deposit on the joints especially around the feet, leading them to swell up massively.
Gout predominantly occurs in obese people. So, if you have a history of arthritis or uric acid in your family, do keep your weight under control.
10. Depression
Obesity-related depression is extremely common nowadays, especially among women. People with obesity often have to face discrimination based on their size, thus leading to a feeling of drastic sadness and loss of self-worth.
The risk nowadays is getting higher owing to the overwhelming presence of social media, and the idea of the perfect body.
Numerous advocacy groups, including the National Association of Advance Fat Acceptance, are fighting to lessen discriminations owing to body weight and proportions, there is still a long way to go to harbor acceptance of all sizes.
If you’re someone fighting depression owing to body image, do get in touch with a counselor.
Final Words
Obesity, if not caused by some health disorder, can be tackled by accepting certain lifestyle changes. If you’re someone fighting obesity, do let us know what you do to stay fit and motivated every day.
