CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY
Obesity can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Genetics plays an important part, as do environment and lifestyle choices. If you are obese, the reasons are not as important as focusing on what can help you. Unfortunately, no matter the reason for your weight gain, there are negative consequences of obesity.
Major Health Risks
Shorter life expectancy is linked with obesity. Studies have shown that compared to ordinary weight people, people who are obese have a 50% to 100% increased risk of dying prematurely.
People who are obese have more risk of:
Type 2 Diabetes
This disease was primarily diagnosed in adults over the age of 40. However, as the obesity epidemic has increased, we now regularly see Type 2 diabetes in young people. Obesity is strongly tied with Type 2 diabetes; about 90% of the diagnosed people are overweight or obese. Complications of diabetes result in about 200,000 deaths per year in the US.
Joint Problems
Each year an increasing number of people seek hip and knee replacements due to their weight. The Arthritis Foundation says more than 1 in 3 people with obesity will have arthritis, which is particularly damaging since joint pain is less likely to exercise. Every pound of extra weight you carry can put additional pressure of 3-4 pounds on your knees. This can lead to significant pain and mobility challenges.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
High blood pressure can cause damage to arteries and the heart. It can even damage the brain, leading to issues such as dementia and stroke. Excess fat puts pressure on the heart and can lead to life-threatening problems such as clogging and obstruction. The World Heart Federation says if you are obese, you are at serious risk of heart disease. Heart disease kills over 600,000 people in the United States every year.
Cancer
Obesity has been linked to increased chances of developing several types of cancer, including breast, endometrial, colorectal, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic, thyroid, and gallbladder cancers. A 2007 study estimated that about 85,000 new cases of cancer each year are attributed to obesity. With obesity rates increasing steadily, the cases of related cancers are rising as well.
Digestive Disorders
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the condition where stomach contents leak backward into your esophagus. This can irritate your esophagus causing symptoms such as heartburn. In addition to reflux being uncomfortable, it can lead to medical conditions like Barrett’s Esophagus, which increases your risk of serious cancer.
Breathing Difficulties
Extra fat keeps the ribcage from expanding fully, which prevents breathing as easily. Lungs also store excess fat, which decreases the exchange of oxygen in the body. A recent study found that obese adults with asthma are five times more likely to be hospitalized than non-obese adults with asthma.
Obesity and COVID19
Data from China, Seattle, New York, and France showed that patients with a BMI over 40 were much more likely to be hospitalized for Covid-19, more likely to be admitted to ICU, and more likely to be intubated. This progression also means a higher mortality rate for patients. Together, these studies clearly show that obesity is a significant risk factor for developing severe Covid-19 disease. This risk appears to be independent of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.
The good news is that successful weight loss surgery reverses the pulmonary and metabolic changes associated with obesity and lowers your risk of severe illness substantially.
Other health consequences of obesity include
• Problems with fertility and pregnancy
• Urinary incontinence
• Negative self-image
• Discrimination
At Bariatric Center, we can help you overcome these problems and experience an improved health status and quality of life by shedding excess weight.
Jan 10, 2021
HUNG M. DO, MD, Ph.D