Obesity has profound and often devastating effects on health and well-being. Excess body fat is a major risk factor for the development
of the so-called “lifestyle diseases”, including heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
Obesity contributes to the development of a host of diseases and ailments, including:
- Heart disease - Obesity is often caused by an excess consumption of dietary fats. It is well documented that increased consumption of saturated fats (found in meat products, dairy products and butter) increases total cholesterol as well as LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. High blood cholesterol levels are a major contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis (clogging up of the arteries) and heart disease. Obesity also leads to the development of high blood pressure and diabetes, which are further risk factors for heart disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension) - Obesity puts extra pressure on the heart, which has to work harder to pump blood through the body, which leads to elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of developing hypertension
- Diabetes - obesity is often associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which insulin becomes ineffective in transporting glucose into the cells. This causes a subsequent rise in blood sugar levels, leading to an increased risk of developing Type II diabetes. Insulin resistance, in turn, causes increased fat storage and exacerbates obesity. Increased blood insulin also further contributes to the development of hypertension and heart disease. This circle of events is often referred to as Syndrome X or the Metabolic Syndrome
- Stroke - Excess dietary fat contributes to plaque build up on the inner walls of the blood vessels leading to the brain (atherosclerosis). If these blood vessels become blocked, blood flow to the brain is reduced, resulting in a stroke
- Cancer - Excess dietary fat, and in particular saturated fat, has been linked to the development of certain cancers, including breast, cervical, uterine and colon cancers
- Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects the weight-bearing joints. Excess body weight places additional stress on the joints and exacerbates the condition. Obesity can also lead to the development of other orthopaedic problems, such as back pain
- Skin disorders - Skin disorders may arise in thick folds of skin or from increased friction between folds
- Shortness of breath - Excess body fat compresses the lungs, leading to shortness of breath and decreased oxygen transport to the body cells
- Hormonal disturbances - Obesity has been associated with infertility and menstrual irregularities, including amennorhoea (cessation of periods)
- Pregnancy complications - A high pre-pregnancy weight and excess weight gain during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and gestational diabetes (the diabetes of pregnancy)
The psychological, social and emotional consequences of obesity.
Obese people may suffer severe psychological, social and emotional difficulties as they may be subjected to ridicule and embarrassment,
especially in western societies, where thinness is praised as a sign of success and beauty. Despondency and depression are common in obese
people who have tried weight loss strategies but have failed to lose weight effectively.