Obesity and Health
Dr Jeremy Sims explains the effect that obesity has on health.
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The Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity
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Dr Jeremy Sims MB BS MSc MRCGP FRIPH FRSH PGDipHI DipN&H MRNT CCCReg
Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic problem; it’s very much a
health problem as well. You may be reading this today because
you are, or have been, very unhappy about your physical
appearance.
However, losing weight isn’t just about looking good, it is
about feeling good; it’s about being healthy and living a
productive and comfortable life. Above all, it is about avoiding
the terrible health consequences of carrying around excessive
weight.
The growing evidence shows that if you are overweight you are
more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, certain types of
cancer, gout (joint pain
caused by excess uric acid), and gallbladder disease. Being
overweight can also cause problems such as sleep apnoea
(interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis (wearing
away of the joints); and the more overweight you are, the more
likely you are to have these health problems.
In comparison, healthy and steady weight loss can help
improve the harmful effects of being overweight. The latest
studies show that by losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds you can
dramatically improve your overall health status, whilst
significantly diminishing your risk of disease.
The Risks To Your Health
Heart Disease and Stroke
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and
disability for both men and women in the Western World.
Overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure, a
major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who
are not overweight. Very high blood levels of
cholesterol and
triglycerides (blood fats) can also lead to heart disease and
often are linked to obesity. Being overweight also
contributes to angina (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to
the heart) and sudden death from heart disease or stroke without
any signs or symptoms.
The good news is that losing a small amount of weight can
reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. See
our dietitian Juliette Kellow's
Healthy Heart Diet
feature.
Reducing your weight by 10 percent can decrease your risk of
developing heart disease by improving how your heart works,
reducing your blood pressure, and reducing the levels of blood
cholesterol and triglycerides.
Diabetes
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) is
the most common type of diabetes in the Western World. Type 2
diabetes reduces your body's ability to control blood sugar. It
is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease,
stroke, and blindness.
Statistically, overweight people are twice as likely to
develop type 2 diabetes as people who are not overweight.
You can reduce your risk of developing this type of diabetes
by both losing weight and by increasing your physical activity.
Furthermore, if you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and
becoming more physically active can help control your blood
sugar levels. If you use medicine to control your blood sugar,
weight loss and physical activity may make it possible for your
family doctor to decrease the amount of medication you need.
Cancer
Several types of cancer are associated with obesity. In
women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix,
ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at greater risk of
developing cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate.
For some types of cancer, such as colon or breast, it is not
clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra weight or
to a high-fat and high-calorie diet, this, of course, being
strongly associated with weight problems as a consequence.
Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a serious condition that is closely
associated with being overweight. The apnoea can cause a person
to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore
heavily. As a further consequence, there may be daytime
sleepiness and in extreme cases the onset of symptoms of heart
failure. The risk for sleep apnoea increases with higher body
weights. Yet again, weight loss ultimately reverses this risk.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that most often
affects the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back.
Extra weight appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis
by placing extra pressure on these joints and wearing away the
cartilage (tissue that cushions the joints) that normally
protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on the knees,
hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of
osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is a joint disease caused by high levels of uric acid in
the blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal
masses that become deposited in the joints. Gout is more common
in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder
increases in parallel with higher body weights.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common if you are
overweight, and your risk of the disease increases as your
weight increases. It is not clear how being overweight may cause
gallbladder disease but the association may be a consequence of
changes in fat and cholesterol handling by the body leading to supersaturation of bile.
Lowering Your Health Risks
If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of
your body weight may improve many of the problems linked to
being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. For
example, if you weigh 200 pounds and are considered overweight
on the weight-for-height chart, you would need to lose 10 to 20
pounds. Even a small weight loss can improve your health.
Slow and steady weight loss of no more than 1 pound per week
is the safest way to lose weight. Very rapid weight loss can
cause you to lose muscle rather than fat. Rapid weight loss also increases your
risk of developing other problems, such as gallstones, gout, and
nutrient deficiencies.
Making long-term changes in your eating and physical activity
habits is the best way to lose weight and keep it off over time.
Eat Better
Whether you are trying to lose weight or
maintain your weight, you should take a look at your eating
habits and try to improve them. Try to eat a variety of foods,
especially pasta, rice, bread, and other whole-grain foods.
You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These
foods will fill you up and are lower in calories than foods
full of oils or fats.
Increase Physical Activity
Making physical activity a part of your daily life is an
important way to help control your weight and lower your risk of
health problems. Spend less time in activities that use little
energy like watching television and playing video games and more
time in physical activities. Try to do at least 30 minutes of
physical activity a day on most days of the week. The activity
does not have to be done all at once. It can be done in short
spurts--10 minutes here, 20 minutes there--as long as it adds up
to 30 minutes a day. Simple ways to become more physically
active include walking to the store or taking the stairs instead
of the elevator.
If you are not overweight but health problems related to
obesity have a tendency to run in your family, it is
important that you try to keep your weight steady. Genetics are
at work here, I’m afraid, and if you have family members with
weight-related health problems, you are more likely to develop
them yourself.
Not sure of your risk of developing an obesity related health
problem? Then do seek the advice of your family health team as
soon as possible (whilst of course using WLR to help manage any
weight problems).
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