It is estimated that in the U.S.A. 300,000 deaths per year can be attributed to obesity.
The risk of death increases with increasing weight. People who are obese (with a body mass index >30%) have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death, from other causes, compared to people who are a healthy weight.
COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY
Obesity creates problems both psychologically and socially, as well as physically.
Psychosocial problems are the most important because the obese person isolates himself from society and usually resorts to intense and incorrect diets for 2-3 days, and then overeats, with the end result that the weight increases and there is a possibility of manifesting disorders eating behaviour (anorexia, bulimia).
The physical problems created by obesity are first of all in the legs and the waist from the increase in weight. Our bones are made to bear a normal weight and not double, triple and many times more. Our heart also gets problems as obesity increases the pressure and predisposes to arteriosclerosis.
IN MORE DETAIL THE COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY ARE THE FOLLOWING
EARLY DEATHS
It is estimated that in America 300,000 deaths per year can be attributed to obesity.
The risk of death increases with increasing weight. People who are obese (with a body mass index >30%) have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death, from other causes, compared to people who are a healthy weight.
HEART DISEASES
Symptoms of heart disease (heart attack, heart failure, chest pain, arrhythmias, etc.) are increased in people who are overweight or obese (with a BMI>25).
High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight.
Obesity is associated with increased triglycerides (fat in the blood) and decreased good cholesterol (HDL).
DIABETES
Extra weight of 11-18 kg increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, twice as much as in people who have not gained weight.
Over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.
CANCER
Overweight and obesity are linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including endometrial, bowel, gall bladder, prostate, kidney and postmenopausal breast cancer.
Women who gained more than 20 pounds from age 18 to middle age doubled their risk of breast cancer at menopause compared to women whose weight remained stable.
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
Sleep apnoea is more common in obese people.
Obesity is associated with an increased chance of developing asthma.
ARTHRITIS
For every 2 kg weight gain, the risk of developing arthritis increases from 9% to 13%.
Arthritis symptoms can improve with weight loss. Every extra pound taxes the knees and quadruples the effect on the waist.
COMPLICATIONS IN PREGNANCY
Obesity during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of death for both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of high maternal blood pressure by 10 times.
In addition to all the other complications that obese women experience during pregnancy, they are more likely to experience gestational diabetes and problems with childbirth.
Babies born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be overweight.
These women are more likely to have a caesarean section, and the newborns are at a higher risk of developing low blood sugar (which can be linked to brain damage and epilepsy).
Obesity during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of birth defects, especially in the nerves and spine.
ADDITIONAL HEALTH EFFECTS
Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of gallbladder disease, and increased surgical risk.
Obesity can affect quality of life through limited mobility and reduced physical endurance as well as through social, academic and occupational discrimination.