The diet industry is huge. It accounts for literally hundreds of billions of dollars, and it’s growing by the year. People want to look better. They want to feel better. But there’s another reason you should consider losing excess pounds: the health risks associated with obesity and being overweight.
In this article, we’ll talk about:
- The most common risks associated with obesity
- A few risks of being overweight you may not have thought of
- How being overweight can shorten your life expectancy
Whether you’re losing weight for your health or just to fit in a smaller pant size, read this guide to the risks of being overweight.
1. Heart disease
People who are overweight or obese have a much higher chance of suffering a heart attack or heart disease than those who are within a healthy weight range. For example, adults between the ages of 40 and 59 who are not within an ideal BMI range are between 21 percent and 85 percent more likely to develop heart disease. Heart disease is one of the number one health risks of obesity… and it’s serious!
When you’re overweight or obese, you’re likely to have hypertension, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and plaque in the arteries. In case you aren’t familiar, plaque in the arteries is prone to rupture, leading to heart attack. As you know, that can be fatal. Protect your heart health, and lose weight. Being overweight or obese puts you at a huge risk of heart disease and death.
2. Type 2 diabetes
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer the onset of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes called adult onset diabetes, but that’s not accurate. Children who are obese also face the health risks associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that carries a risk of severe complications. Amputation is not uncommon. Heart disease is related. Nerve problems may result and pregnancies can be complicated. Eyesight is not uncommon, and in severe cases, type 2 diabetes can lead to diabetic coma and death. Do your body and your family a favor, and lose weight to lessen the health risks of type 2 diabetes.
3. Depression
Obesity and being overweight carries an unexpected health risk: depression. Depression can lead to obesity, or obesity can lead to depression – it’s different for different people. Here’s what the studies show:
- Obese people are 25% more likely to suffer depression
- People who are obese suffer low self-esteem and social isolation which further complicates depression
- Teenagers who are depressed are more likely to become obese within 12 months
- Depressed people have decreased levels of serotonin, and eat to try to restore the balance
- People who are depressed are more likely to commit suicide
Fortunately, depression can be treated. For some, that might help restore the chemical balance in the brain and break the cycle of depression and obesity. If you’re depressed, speak with a healthcare provider today.
4. Cancer
If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. Obese people have a type of chronic inflammation, which can eventually cause damage to your DNA. That, in turn, leads to cancer. In addition, excess estrogen is produced by your fat tissue. This can lead to breast cancer (yes, even in men), ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.
Fat cells are necessary for your survival. We all need fat! But an excess of fat cells is extremely dangerous, causing your DNA to change, your cells to begin to grow incorrectly and your hormonal levels to become dangerously abnormal. Reduce your risk of cancer by setting a goal to reach a healthy weight.
5. Sleep apnea
Obese people are more likely to suffer sleep apnea than those who are of a normal weight. Think that just means you’ll snore while you sleep? Think again. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition where your breathing stops for 10 seconds or more, repeatedly while you sleep. Your airway is blocked by tissues in the back of your throat, disallowing air to get through.
Over half of people who suffer sleep apnea are obese or overweight. Men are four times more likely to have sleep apnea than women. The disorder has been positively linked to car accidents, heart attacks, stroke and work-related accidents. Rest better: lose weight and reduce your risk of sleep apnea.
6. Kidney disease
When you think of kidney disease, you may think of diseases like diabetes. But obesity and being overweight can do much more damage than that to your kidneys. When you overeat, you’re causing your kidneys to work harder. Obese people and overweight people are demanding that their kidneys do more than they were intended to do, and over the long term this weakens them.
Chronic kidney disease is usually irreversible. Once you’ve let your overeating damage your kidneys, there’s no way to return them to a completely healthy state. Eventually, this overuse and abuse of your kidneys can lead to chronic renal failure, which is fatal without dialysis. Be kind to your kidneys, and strive for a healthy weight.
7. Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is just what it sounds like: it means your liver has extra fat. Alcohol is usually blamed for fatty liver disease, but that’s not always the case. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is directly liked to high blood pressure, extra belly fat, high cholesterol and an insulin resistance.
So what’s so dangerous about fatty liver disease? It can lead to scarring (fibrosis) of the liver, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Lose weight, cut out alcohol and be kind to your liver to prevent fatty liver disease. In some cases, the condition can be reversed so talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
8. Pregnancy complications
If you don’t lose weight for yourself, do it for your family. Being overweight or obese can lead to pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes, pre-term delivery, cesarean section and even still births. There are more, too. Obesity can result in:
- birth defects
- high blood pressure
- blood clotting
- preeclampsia
- sleep apnea during pregnancy
- neural tube defects
- macrosomia (the baby is larger than normal and can become injured during birth)
- miscarriage
- stroke
- problems with breastfeeding if the baby survives
As you can clearly see, obesity while pregnant isn’t just about you, Mom. It’s about the baby, too. Before you begin trying to conceive, be sure your BMI is in a healthy range. This will help lessen the risks to your child – and to yourself – when you finally are ready to begin your pregnancy. Talk to your obstetrician and your family care practitioner to determine the best course of action for your baby’s health.
9. Infertility in women
Of course, people who are obese are more likely to be infertile in the first place. Studies show that women who are severely obese are a full 43 percent less likely to become pregnant than normal or overweight women.
Even if you’re menstruating and ovulating normally, you’re still less likely to become pregnant than women of a normal weight. Scientists aren’t sure why, but they think it may relate to the hormone leptin and the disruptions obesity causes. If you want to start a family, it’s best to find your way down to a healthy, normal weight than trying to conceive while you’re obese.
10. Infertility in men
Infertility isn’t always Mom’s fault, guys. Obesity in men causes the quality of your sperm to fail, further reducing the chance of pregnancy. Scientists have proven that men who are overweight or obese have much lower sperm counts than men who are of a normal weight.
Overweight and obese men have, on average, a 22 to 24% lower sperm count than men who are in a healthy weight range. So why not work together? You and your partner can commit to reaching a healthy BMI before you attempt to conceive. It’s safer for you, for your partner and for the baby.
11. High blood pressure
High blood pressure is exactly what it sounds like: it’s the pressure your blood puts on the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure, today, is defined as any number higher than 130/80. Think it’s no big deal, and that you can just take some blood pressure medication? Look at these risks of high blood pressure:
- You’re more willing to suffer a stroke
- High blood pressure can lead to brain damage
- It can lead to kidney damage
- You may become blind, or your eyes permanently scarred
- You may suffer gout
- You may suffer sexual dysfunction
- You may lose bone density, causing osteoporosis
Take your high blood pressure seriously. It’s extremely dangerous and can lead to long-term consequences, or even death.
12. Stroke
You probably already know that some bad habits can lead to an increased risk of stroke. Smoking, for instance, has been linked with stroke, so it’s best you stamp out that cigarette. But did you know that overeating is another bad habit that can increase your risk? Stroke is one of the health risks associated with being overweight and with obesity.
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and are prevalent in other parts of the world as well. So, what’s a stroke? It’s when blood supply is cut off to a part of your brain. Alternatively, that blood supply could be simply reduced. Either way, though, a stroke is serious and can lead to the death of brain cells within a matter of minutes.
The effects of a stroke can range from long-term slurred speech and trouble with your vision to paralysis to one or more parts of your body. Simply by maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce your risk of stroke.
13. Osteoporosis
Some people might believe that, since you’re heavier, your bones will be stronger when you’re overweight or obese. After all, exercise increases bone strength, and the more weight your muscles bear, the stronger they are, right?
Wrong. When you’re overweight, just the opposite is true. Obesity and being overweight causes strange things to happen to your body, not least of these is this: fat accumulates in your bone marrow. That means there’s less space inside your bones for normal, healthy cells, and as a result your bones will weaken and deteriorate.
An improper diet will just further increase the health risk of osteoporosis when you’re overweight. You’ll be lacking in proper nutrients like vitamins D and A as well as calcium. As you age, the problem gets worse. Take care of your bones now; eat a proper diet, get exercise and lose some weight.
14. Arthritis
When most people think of the health risks of being overweight and of obesity, they think of the most obvious culprits, like heart disease and diabetes. But did you know that if you’re obese, you’re more likely to suffer from arthritis?
The reason is simple: as your joints bear more weight, they’re more prone to break down and weaken. The knees, hips and ankles are most susceptible, since they’re bearing all your extra weight. But weight isn’t the only reason you’ll get arthritis – fat is, too. Fat releases chemicals that actually promote inflammation, making for some very uncomfortable joints. Excess fat and weight on your body can lead to both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, so shed a few pounds and protect your joints.
15. Gout
Gout is another type of arthritis, but for most people it’s targeted to specific parts of the body. It’s caused by a buildup of uric acid – this acid actually creates crystals that collect in your joints and especially in your toes.
Gout is extremely painful and is, in part, caused by the damage you do to your kidneys when you’re obese. Your kidneys can’t break down a chemical called purines, which are found in meats, beer and seafood. The fat that affects your kidneys as well as the fact that your kidneys are working overtime disallows your body to break down these purines, so the uric acid isn’t properly excreted.
Studies show that even a small amount of weight loss can help your body better process purines, leading to a higher incidence of uric acid (produced when purines are processed) being passed safely through your system. In other words, start losing weight today, and avoid gout tomorrow.
16. Fibromyalgia
Another painful diagnosis associated with obesity and being overweight is fibromyalgia. As you may know, people who suffer from fibromyalgia complain of chronic, sometimes constant pain. They frequently feel tired, as it’s difficult to fall asleep. They suffer from severe headaches and joint problems. And sometimes fibromyalgia sufferers experience mood disorders and depression.
Obesity is directly related to fibromyalgia. While not all fibromyalgia sufferers are overweight, many are. Scientists still aren’t 100% sure what causes fibromyalgia or how to cure it. But what we do know is that, like depression, the fibro/obesity problem can be cyclical:
- Fibromyalgia patients are likely to be sleepy
- They’re likely to be depressed
- Because of sleepiness and depression, they’re likely to gain weight
- This could be due to inactivity or mood induced eating
- The heavier the patient, the worse the fibromyalgia can become
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or you simply want to avoid it, take steps to shed your extra weight to keep your health risks of fibromyalgia at a minimum.
17. Gallstones and gallbladder disease
Gallstones are one of the most common health risks of being overweight and of obesity. Gallstones aren’t stones, per se. Instead, they’re caused by the buildup of materials in your body. These materials can be:
- Cholesterol
- Bilirubin
- Calcium
- Calcium bicarbonate
Regardless of what’s built up in your gallbladder, the reason is frequently that obese people just put too much strain on the organ. When your gallbladder can’t process these chemicals and substances. They build up and solidify. The result? Painful, fever-inducing, jaundice-causing gallstones.
Gallstones aren’t just painful. They can also lead to other, more serious complications. For instance, gallstones can lead to a disorder called acute acute cholecystitis. This inflammation and infection could leave you hospitalized. Gallstones can also lead to jaundice, blood infections, bile duct infections and even gallbladder cancer.
18. Anxiety
We talked about how obesity carries the health risk of depression. Did you know that being overweight can also cause anxiety? Scientists aren’t quite sure why this is the case, but there are a few theories. There’s a high incidence of anxiety in overweight and obese people, perhaps because:
- Obesity is socially stigmatized in most cultures
- Obesity causes health problems, which in turn lead to anxiety
- People who are obese are less physically active; activity is scientifically shown to improve mood
- People who are obese are, in most cultures, less educated than those who are a normal weight
- People who are obese face criticism from family members
Think anxiety is no big deal, just something you can handle on your own? That’s just not so. Anxiety can lead to a lowered immune system, skin conditions, cardiovascular trouble, gastrointestinal disorders, sexual dysfunction, respiratory disorders, migraines, muscle aches and more. Some reports even say that 70 percent of more of suicides are linked to an anxiety disorder. Take care of your body so that you, too, don’t suffer anxiety.
19. Asthma
Asthma is a tricky one. Sometimes people are obese or overweight because they’re asthmatic. Other times, people are asthmatic because they’re obese. It’s another one of those circular complications caused by being overweight and by obesity.
Asthma is, in short, caused by inflammation in the lungs. When you’re obese, you definitely have inflammation in the lungs. Scientists are studying the link between asthma and obesity, but it’s been shown that abdominal fat negatively impacts lung health. You’re more likely to be diagnosed with asthma, which can be fatal, if you’re overweight or obese.
And that’s not all. If you’re obese, you’re less likely to respond to asthma treatment. Asthmatics who are obese need more intensive treatment than people of a normal weight, and hospitalization for obese asthmatics lasts longer than for those of a healthy weight.
Asthma is a very serious condition. As mentioned, it can be fatal. Asthma can’t be cured and can equate to a world of trouble. You might miss days at work. You might be hospitalized, or have to visit the emergency room. You may experience side effects from the medications used to treat asthma. You may even suffer permanent damage to your bronchial tubes, making it hard to engage in exercise and even daily activities.
20. Bullying
While technically not a health risk, bullying of obese people is very real, and is very dangerous. When you think of bullying, you may conjure up images of a child in school who’s being picked on. There’s more to the story than that.
When you’re overweight or obese, you’re more likely to be ostracized by your friends, peers and family members. People may make insensitive jokes about your weight. People will ostracize you. As you know, bullying like this can lead to severe mental imbalance. Consider these facts:
- People who are obese are between 2 and 9 times more likely to consider or commit suicide than people who are not bullied.
- In the UK, half or more of suicides of teens and young adults are due to bullying
- The likelihood that you’ll be bullied, globally, is directly related to how obese you are
If you feel that you’re being bullied, please seek help. You’re overweight or obese, but bullying is never your fault. If you feel like ending your life, please call your local Suicide Hotline.
- In the US – 1-800-273-TALK
- In the UK – +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90
- In Australia – 08 93 81 5555
- In Canada – 1 (905) 688 3711
- In India – Roshni +914066202000
Cooj +918322252525
Sneha Foundation +914424640050
Vandrevala 18602662345
- In Japan – +81 (0) 3 5286 9090
English speakers are fine
- The Philippines – (02) 8969191
- Germany – 0800 181 0771
If your country or continent is not listed here, please do a quick Google search with your area.
Summary
This article was meant to enlighten you on the ways in which obesity can negatively impact your life. You’re overweight or obese. But you’re meant to do great things! You can turn it around! Get your diet and your exercise back on track and you can avoid these conditions.
Do it for your family or yourself. But most of all, do it for your health! You deserve it!