Undeniably, obesity is a major contributor to the global problem of increased disease. Obesity plays a major role in the following diseases:
Heart Disease – This occurs when a buildup of a substance called plaque, a fatty material, lines the walls of the coronary arteries. As this buildup occurs, the arteries become narrower and this restriction causes a reduction in blood flow to the heart. Heart disease refers to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks.
Type 2 Diabetes – Although not everyone who has type 2 diabetes is overweight, almost 80% are. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the blood does not produce enough or any insulin to help lower blood glucose levels. Generally, an insulin injection is required on a daily basis to keep the glucose levels under control. Type 2 diabetes contributes to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness.
Cancer – Being overweight can increase your risk of colon and breast cancer.
Arthritis – Excessive weight can increase the pressure on your joints, such as knees, hips, and back, and wear them down. This causes a lot of pain and it not reversible.
Gallstones – Having high cholesterol can also cause small stones to form in the gall bladder.
Infertility – Being obese can affect your reproductive system and can cause infertility in women.
Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing while you sleep. Because of the extra weight, it can cause the breathing passageways to become narrower.
One is considered obese if you have a BMI of over 30 and is directly related to a shorter lifespan. Obese individuals have a 50% increased risk of premature death from all causes in comparison to individuals who are of a healthy weight.
When you are obese, it can be difficult to lose weight due to the lack of conditioning of your muscles and how much exercise you can actually perform. Start slowly, by incorporating a daily walk into your life to initiate the change in your weight. Make sure your doctor is aware of your efforts to help guide you down the weight loss path.
Bob likes to write on various topics and has been doing so for more than a few years. His newest site is http://miniflatiron.org which supplies people with information on purchasing a mini flat iron.
