10 serious diseases that lead to death due to obesity

Most of the world's poor and rich, high and low-income countries alike have talked a lot about obesity.

The rate of obesity has increased and has tripled since 1975 AD. 

The matter is not limited to infecting adults, but has spread to affect and threaten the lives of children and adolescents due to its negative effects on physical and psychological health.

Health problems associated with obesity

diabetic

Sleep apnea

Heart disease and stroke

Fatty liver

Gallbladder diseases

cancer

Osteoporosis

Gout

Sexual diseases and problems

Prevention of obesity and its associated health problems

The concept of overweight and obesity refers to an increase in body weight over the normal limit as a result of fat accumulation and increased fat mass. 

Usually, BMI is used to indicate overweight and obesity. 

The way it calculates for adults differs from the way it calculates for children under the age of five, or between the ages of five and nineteen. 

It is calculated for adults by dividing a person's weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of his height in meters (m), while there are interstitial charts that depict the relationship between height and weight for the other two age groups.

The body mass index is strongly associated with the total body fat content in adults, as an adult suffers

 from overweight if his BMI reaches 25-29.9, and an adult suffers from obesity if his BMI is more than 30, and he suffers An adult who is obese if his BMI is over 40.

Health problems associated with obesity

It should be noted that obesity is not only considered an aesthetic problem, but rather is a medical problem that increases the risk of many diseases and health problems.

The risk of these diseases increases if there is a family history of these diseases, or if obesity is

concentrated in the area around the abdomen, which is known as apple-shaped obesity, more than obesity based in the pelvis and buttocks area, or pear-shaped obesity. 

We mention some of the health problems associated with obesity as follows:

diabetic

Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, because BMI is linked to diabetes and insulin resistance.

Weight gain is essential to increase the chance of developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, in order to

 increase the amount of some substances that participate in developing insulin resistance in obese people, such as fatty acids, hormones, glycerin, and other substances.

It should be noted that it can help control blood sugar levels by losing weight, increasing physical activity and getting enough sleep, and thus may reduce the need for diabetes medication.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can occur for several reasons, but in obesity specifically, the thickness of the soft tissues in the neck can increase pressure on the throat, leading to decreased airflow to the lungs. 

It is also known that the size of the tongue can increase in obese people, leading to an increased narrowing of the airways.

It should be noted that sleep apnea may cause a person to snore heavily, in addition to feeling sleepy during the day. 

It also negatively affects a person's health, as it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease and stroke

There are many factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in obesity, the most important of which are:

An increased risk of developing heart disease-causing factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. 

High blood pressure can irritate calcified plaques in the arteries of blood vessels, causing them to separate and increasing the risk of heart attacks.

Stimulation of the immune system and activation of inflammatory processes that harm the cardiovascular system. 

For example, these inflammatory processes increase the risk of atherosclerosis and the accumulation of

 plaques on the wall of blood vessels or their separation, and thus increase the risk of heart attacks.

Changes in the heart's structure or ability to function. 

We mention some of them as follows:

Elderly women are associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, associated with increased formation of blood clots, and thus an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, or other heart problems.

Obesity increases the enlargement of the heart muscle, which may sometimes occur as a result of high blood pressure and lack of control.

Increased effort by the heart to pump blood, especially in the diastole stage, when the heart is filling in blood.

Fatty liver

The liver is the body's second largest organ.

Its job is to help process nutrients from foods and drinks, and filter harmful substances from the blood.

And the accumulation of too much fat in the liver can cause what is known as a fatty liver. 

It is believed that all stages of fatty liver disease are caused by insulin resistance, a condition closely related to obesity, and therefore BMI is related to the degree of liver damage, meaning that the higher the BMI, the greater the liver damage. 

Doctors and public health officials predict that obesity-related liver disease will become the main cause of liver failure and liver transplantation in the not-too-distant future.

It should be noted that the presence of small amounts of fat in the liver is normal, but excessive intake of it can become a health problem that may lead to liver damage and scarring, and this scarring can lead to liver failure in severe cases.

Gallbladder diseases

The gallbladder is a small organ found in the upper right portion of the abdomen. 

Gallbladder diseases and gallstones are more common among people who suffer from overweight and obesity. 

The reason for this is that the excess body weight makes it difficult for the gallbladder to empty, thus allowing cholesterol-rich bile to accumulate and harden to form stones.

A person may also be exposed to gallstones if they lose weight quickly or lose a large amount of weight.

cancer

Some studies have reported links between obesity and cancer, as adipose tissue produces excessive

amounts of the hormone estrogen, and high levels of this hormone have been associated with an

 increased risk of breast cancer, endometriosis, ovaries, and some other types of cancer.

Also, people who are obese may develop chronic, low-level inflammation, which over time can damage DNA that leads to cancer.

As mentioned earlier, obesity is a risk factor for gallstones, a condition characterized by chronic cholecystitis. A history of gallstones is a strong risk factor for gallbladder cancer.

Chronic ulcerative colitis and hepatitis are risk factors for different types of liver cancer.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common condition that often affects certain parts of the human body, such as the knee, hip or back. 

Carrying the extra weight puts extra stress on the joints and cartilage. 

Research has also shown that being overweight and obese can reduce bone density and increase the risk of fractures

 But losing weight can relieve stress on the knees, hips and lower back, and thus improve symptoms of

osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. It was also found that exercise not only prevents weight gain, but also increases bone strength and prevents bone density loss.

Gout

Gout is more common among people who are overweight, and the likelihood of developing this disease increases with weight gain. 

It should be noted that there is a possibility of an increased risk of gout attacks in the event of a sudden

weight change in obese people; Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before trying to lose weight for the best weight loss method.

Gout can be defined as a disease that affects the joints, and it occurs when the level of uric acid in the blood is high, and therefore additional uric acid can form crystals that accumulate in the joints.

Sexual diseases and problems

 Poor self-esteem and body image may affect the general sexual activity of both men and women.

Overweight people may feel that they are sexually inappropriate, unattractive, and undesirable, which causes them to avoid sexual relations.

They also usually suffer from some sexual dissatisfaction or sexual difficulties related to their weight. For example, it has been shown that obesity can reduce sexual satisfaction and cause erectile dysfunction in men. 

As for the relationship between obesity and female sexual dysfunction, obesity may lead to reduced sexual desires in women. 

Managing sexual dysfunctions in obese people may be difficult, but it is advisable to ensure that the problem is appropriately assessed by consulting a doctor. 

To help examine and solve sexual problems.

It should be noted that obesity and weight gain are associated with menstrual disorders, difficulty getting pregnant and infertility. 

It is believed that this occurs as a result of their increased level of estrogen due to the presence of a

 greater amount of fat cells that produce an estrogen-like compound, which is estrone.

Also read: 

Is obesity hereditary?

Prevention of obesity and its associated health problems

Many people wonder about the necessary steps to prevent overweight and the health problems related

 to it, and it should be noted that the steps for preventing weight gain are the same as for losing weight and include the following:

Commitment: 

It is very important to stick to a healthy weight plan as much as possible during the week, on weekends, and during vacations and vacations.

Exercising regularly: 

This includes moderate-intensity physical activities such as brisk walking and

 swimming, and these activities should last for 150 to 300 minutes per week to prevent weight gain.

Follow a healthy diet: 

It is important to make sure to choose foods that promote the maintenance of a

 healthy weight and good health most of the time, and therefore you must focus on eating foods that are

 low in calories and high in nutritional value, for example fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and it is also advised to avoid eating saturated fats. Limit your intake of sweets.

Regular weight-monitoring: 

Regular weight-tracking may inform whether an individual's efforts are successful or not, and can help

him discover a slight weight gain before it becomes a major problem, and therefore people who weigh

themselves at least once a week are more successful. In avoiding weight gain.

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