Obesity and the diseases associated with it cost a
staggering percentage of health care dollars. It is estimated that $168 billion
is spent each year in the U.S. alone to treat obesity-related diseases. These
diseases include Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure,
metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high cholesterol,
gallstones, osteoarthritis and more.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease most commonly caused by obesity.
Though it used to develop primarily in adults, it is now quite common in
children as well, with the recent increase in the rate of childhood obesity.
Blood sugar levels become elevated due to the insulin resistance caused by
obesity and greatly increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Heart disease can develop as a result of fatty deposits building up
in the arteries, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) is 10 times
more common among the obese than in the population with normal body weight. Fat
tissue also requires blood to survive, so more blood vessels are created,
putting greater strain on the circulatory system, increasing blood pressure and
making the heart work harder to circulate that extra blood.
Those who are obese have an
increased risk of cancer, especially
cancer of the colon, breast, prostate, gallbladder and uterus.
Obesity adversely affects both the
metabolism and endocrine system, often resulting in metabolic syndrome, the fastest-growing obesity-related health
problem. This refers to a group of risk factors that increase your risk of more
serious diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Symptoms
include excess weight particularly located around the middle of the body,
insulin resistance, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol and high triglycerides.
Women who are obese can suffer from
a number of reproductive health problems, including infertility, uterine cancer
and PCOS. Because obesity causes
disruption in the menstrual cycle and the endocrine system that is responsible
for the delicate balance of hormones necessary for successful ovulation,
studies have found that even a modest reduction in body fat of between 5 and 10
percent is often enough to restore ovulation and fertility.
Osteoarthritis has grown increasingly common as the rate of obesity
has increased. The excess weight adds to increased wear and tear on the joints,
particularly on the knees and hips. Obese women are nine times more likely to
suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, often leading to the need for a total
joint replacement. However, researchers have found that losing as little as 11
pounds can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis by half.
The increased risks of these six diseases alone are good
reasons to lose weight if you are obese. Even losing a little has been shown to
have a positive effect on your health and wellness, and it can significantly reduce the
amount you spend on health care every year.
Author Bio:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
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