The health risks of being overweight are abundant. Here are some that are critical

According to estimates, approximately two-thirds of Americans suffer from obesity. Sedentary lifestyles, stress, and round the clock availability of fatty foods have caused people to gain weight that crosses the threshold of being healthy. 

Despite the prevalence of fitness and gym culture, most people accept being overweight as a part and parcel of life and don’t do much about it. 

Obesity is a slow poison. It damages the body from the inside and impacts multiple systems. Experts have estimated that the chubby children of this generation will have significantly shorter lives than their parents. Obesity affects the overall quality of life. 

Obesity is an easily treatable health condition. It only requires discipline, motivation, and a little effort from the individual. Let us take a look at the health risks and medical conditions caused by being overweight. Knowing how dangerous obesity is can be enough of a motivator to take corrective action.

Troubled Breathing

• People who suffer from obesity are usually faced with breathing problems. This happens because of the presence of excessive fat on the upper body which inhibits the rib cage from expanding completely. When the lungs are not provided ample space for full expansion, breathing becomes troubled. 

Some fat also gets deposited on the lungs which disrupt the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. Breathing is one of the most important functions performed by the body. If the breathing process gets disrupted, then the entire body is affected. Coronary diseases are a manifestation of troubled breathing. 

Osteoarthritis

• It is a medical condition in which the cartilage that acts as a protective covering over the end of your bones gets worn away with time. Osteoarthritis is an age-related disease but obesity accelerates it. Excessive body weight puts stress on joints and cartilage at the end of your bones and triggers inflammation. 

This causes pain and stiffness. Even a little reduction in body weight takes the stress of bones. Balancing optimal weight and exercising are two ideal ways to keep osteoarthritis under check.

High Cholesterol

• High levels of bad cholesterol are the leading causes of multiple heart diseases. The presence of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and triglyceride are due to the accumulation of excessive and unprocessed fat inside the body. 

To keep your cholesterol levels in check, exercise regularly, and consume healthy foods such as whole grains, grapes, apples, and okra. 

Type 2 Diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes is one of the most recurring medical conditions. It is caused when the body develops resistance to insulin. Belly fat is attributed to the development of insulin resistance. If your body develops resistance to insulin, the glucose cannot be processed properly and blood sugar levels rise in the body.

Of all the people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, 8 out of 10 people suffer from obesity. There is no treatment for diabetes, it can only be managed. However, losing excess weight can save the person from developing type-2 diabetes.

Formation of Gallstones

• High levels of cholesterol cause hindrance in the movement of bile through the gallbladder. When bile doesn’t take its natural course, it ends up turning into pebbles. These pebbles are called gallstones and they are usually deposited in the kidneys. 

The root cause of gallstone formation is high levels of fatty acid in the bloodstream. Eating high-fibrous food and keeping weight in check can help with gallstones.

If you suffer from obesity and wish to lose excessive weight, consult Optima Medical. They have offices in multiple locations across Arizona.