Why Is Obesity A Health Hazard?

Obesity is more than just a cosmetic issue. Being overweight can also be a health hazard. People who are overweight have an increased risk of premature death by 40% and this is due to its link to a variety of medical conditions. Generally speaking, someone who is obese will experience more health problems and losing weight can greatly improve the situation.

This is especially true for anyone who is apple-shaped, with a family history of chronic disease or who has a pre-existing medical condition, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. Even losing just 10 or 20 pounds can reduce the risk factors significantly.

So what diseases make obesity a health hazard?

7 Diseases That Make Obesity A Health Hazard

Heart Disease & Stroke

The Center for Disease Control points to how the risk of heart disease and stroke increases in obese people. These are the leading causes of disability, and death, in Americans and obesity is a driving force behind that for many.

Carrying extra weight makes a person more likely to experience high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for both stroke and heart disease. High cholesterol can also contribute to heart disease, angina, and sudden death. The latter is the result of stroke or heart disease, without having to experience any sign of a symptom. Even losing just a few pounds can drive your risk down.

Diabetes

Diabetes contributes to blindness, heart disease, stroke, and in extreme cases, an early death. People who are overweight are twice as likely to live with type 2 diabetes when compared to those of a normal weight. Losing weight and staying active is an effective way to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. For anyone who already has type 2 diabetes, weight loss and exercise are two key ways to control blood sugar levels. It may even contribute to requiring less medication.

Cancer

According to WebMD, there are varieties of cancers, which have been linked to obesity. They include kidney, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, ovarian, gallbladder, and pancreatic. There are clear links between these cancers and obesity though, in some cases, it’s unclear as to whether the link is obesity itself or a diet that is high in fat and calories.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallstones and disease of the gallbladder are more common in obese people and the more weight you carry the greater risk you are at. As yet, it’s unclear how the two are linked and in an ironic twist, losing weight rapidly can also increase the risk of gallstones. So, if you’re losing weight it should be done at a safe and steady pace of a pound or two each week.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea doesn’t just contribute to snoring. It also causes you to stop breathing during sleep. It can also contribute to fatigue and heart failure. The risk for this disease increases with your body weight and losing weight can improve the issue.

Osteoarthritis

This is a common condition, affecting the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back. As your weight increases so does the pressure on the joints, wearing away the cartilage that is supposed to protect them. Losing weight reduces the pressure on these joints, which can provide relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Gout

This disease is one that causes high levels of uric acid, which directly affects the joints. It creates solid masses of crystallized deposits. Once upon a time, it was considered a disease of the rich, as they were the only people who could afford the rich foods that contribute to it. Now, it’s far more common among overweight and obese people.
While losing weight can help gout, it’s important to speak to your doctor about it before you embark on any plan. This is because changing your diet can cause a gout attack.

9 Things To Help You Live Longer

In summary, obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. It can contribute to a poor quality of life and expose us to risk factors that make obesity a health hazard. These factors can leave us susceptible to an early death if obesity is left untreated.

But, on the positive side, we do actually have some degree of control over our life expectancy and you can avoid the health risks with obesity. If you want to know exactly where you should be focusing your efforts to live a healthier life check out my free report Top 9 Things You Can Do To Help You Live Longer.  The choices you make about your lifestyle doesn’t mean that you and your loved ones have to live shorter lives.