According to the World Health Organization, obesity rates have continued to grow in both adults and children. In 2016 alone, the number of obese adults went up to 650 million. So if you feel like you’ve just gotten bigger, unhealthier, and have gained weight, you’re not alone.
If you’re obese, it won’t necessarily stop you from living a normal life. However, you should know that obesity brings with it plenty of health problems. You may not feel them immediately, but they will be a cause of concern especially as you age. If you can do something about your condition before it progresses, it would be better for you in the long run.
Read on for some health concerns that can affect you from being obese.
What is obesity?
Before we get to the health problems, let’s define what obesity is first. According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is a disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. And it’s not just a concern for the looks. It’s more than you not fitting into your old clothes or looking big in pictures. It’s actually a serious and real medical problem. Being obese means you are at risk for diseases and various health problems, and can even lead to your early death. Obese people have also been associated with poorer mental health.
Of course, there are many influences on your weight. It could be any of the following: genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal. Not everyone will be born skinny or fit. But generally, obesity occurs when you ingest more calories than what you burn in your normal life. If you don’t burn those calories, your body stores the extra calories as fat.
If you feel like your food is too high caloric, you’re probably right. In the United States alone, food here is mostly composed of fast food and high caloric drinks. And if you’re obese, you are likely to ingest more food than a normal person before you feel full. You might also feel hungry sooner. Furthermore, because you know you’re bigger than usual, you might get anxious or stressed. That might lead to you stress eating.
Us in the US also generally have jobs that are less demanding physically. The result is that we don’t burn as many calories at work. And because of modern conveniences, we also use up fewer calories. Everything’s easier, but sadly, fattening.
How do you know you’re obese?
Body mass index or BMI is the method is often used to see if someone is affected by obesity. If you want to check your BMI personally, here’s the formula, according to the Center for Disease Control:
[Weight (kg) / Height (cm) / Height (cm)] x 10,000
For example, your weight in kilos is 85. You divide it twice by your height in centimeters. Multiply the end result by 10,000, and you end up with your current BMI.
If your BMI is below 18.5, it means you are underweight. A BMI ranging from 18.5 and 24.9 falls under the normal range. You are overweight if your BMI ranges from 25 to 29.9. And if your BMI is 30 and higher, you are classified as being affected by obesity.
Generally, your BMI is a good estimate of your body fat. But just keep in mind that BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat. Bodybuilders, for example, would have a BMI that says they’re obese, even if they’re really not.
Another way to check for obesity is through the waistline of a person. Doctors measure waists to see how big their patient is. From there, that’s when they recommend a course of action. In men, it’s problematic if the waist is over 40 inches. For women, it’s when their waists are over 35.
What are the health problems that arise because of obesity?
Here are some of the health problems you can get as as result of being obese:
High blood pressure
This is also known as hypertension. You have blood pressure that is higher than the usual. Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder. If untreated, it can lead to serious health problems like as high blood pressure and heart trouble. This condition causes you to stop breathing multiple times while you are asleep. That’s the reason for your loud snoring and feeling tired even with a full night’s sleep.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have Type 2 diabetes, it means your body is having problems using sugar as fuel for you. This is a chronic condition and results in too much sugar in your blood. Eventually, this high blood sugar level can lead to problems with your circulatory, nervous, and immune systems.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis. You end up with an inflamed join, often the big toe. Having gout is a very painful experience. Repeated instances of gout leads to a worse form, called gouty arthritis.
Stroke
A stroke is when blood going to your brain is blocked or becomes less. This prevents your brain from getting oxygen and nutrients. This is dangerous because your brain cells can die in minutes if they are not nourished. Therfore, a stroke is a true medical emergency. Immediate treatment is needed to reduce brain damage and other health complications.
Cancers
You can get different kinds of cancers if your’e dangerously obese. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified 13 cancers associated with obesity. They are: meningioma, multiple myeloma, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, and cancers of the thyroid, postmenopausal breast, gallbladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, ovaries, uterus, colon and rectum (colorectal).
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a term for when the blood supply for your heart is blocked. This usually happens because of a build-up of fatty substances.
Take note that this is not a full and comprehensive list. There are plenty more health problems that come from being obese.
Break free from obesity with weight loss surgery today!
If you are considered suffering from obesity, don’t lose hope. The good news is that some weight loss can improve or even stop healthy problems that are linked to obesity. And if you want a more instant result, why not go with weight loss surgery? At LapBand LA, we offer you plenty of options, but we recommend Lap Band Surgery. It’s one of the least invasive procedures and at the same time, one of the most effective ones.
If you’re interested to start living a healthier life, get in touch with us today. We have 30 years of experience with weight loss surgeries. We also have the knowledge and expertise to help you have a better life. Most of all, we’re led by Dr. David Davtyan, arguably the best lap band doctor in Los Angeles. He has performed thousands of LapBand procedures with amazing results. So you can rest assured that when you book with us, you’re in very good hands.
Want to know more? Schedule a consultation with us today and let’s get you a procedure that will change your life for the better.
