How Does Obesity Affect the Body?
How does obesity affect the body?
In this looks-obsessed society, many people think that overweight is an appearance issue. Being overweight is actually a medical concern as it can affect the health of a person. It can cause diabetes and hypertension and also affect the joints, sleep, energy and mood.
As per the Ayurveda aspect:
In Ayurveda, it has been clearly mentioned that the basic 7 seven elements that govern the body are called as dhatus. Out of these seven dhatus, one dhatu is meda (fat). The excessive accumulation of meda in the body channels leads to obesity.
How overweight can be defined?
Obesity is a chronic and serious disease that has effects on body systems. Being overweight increases the risk of developing some serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and joints, and bones related disorders, etc. In some of cases, it may also lead to disability or early death.
When there is too much fat accumulation in the body, it causes various disorders in the body.
Obesity is epidemic and it can affect the kids, teens as well as the adults.
What are the causes of being overweight or obesity?
Obesity tends to be caused due to genetic factors. Most people have a genetic tendency to gain weight more easily. Genes influence the body’s type and size. Chances increased to 25% if one or both the parents are obese. Several environmental factors also play an important role in it.
Most of the people are gaining too much weight or becoming overweight because of the unhealthy food (like eating fast foods and preserved foods) and family habits (eating meals in front of the TV instead of sitting on the dining table). Overeating in combination with a sedentary lifestyle also leads to obesity. Consumption of foods that contain high calories, low nutrients, beverages, and less activity contributes to the obesity epidemic.
Metabolic factors also play an important role in determining weight gain. A hormone called peptide regulates the appetite and triggers hunger and gives you a feeling of fullness after eating the food.
What are the impacts of obesity on the body?
Obesity can cause various health-related conditions that hamper the daily lifestyle and make the person physically, mental and socially inactive.
It includes
Heart disease:
Accumulation of the fat tissue in the body needs nutrients and oxygen content that are required for the circulation of more blood to the fat tissue through the blood vessels. This increases the workload of the heart on the vessels. More circulation of blood means more pressure on the walls of the arteries which increases the blood pressure.
American heart association has stated that obesity is a major risk factor for the heart-related disease. People with obesity are at a greater risk for coronary artery disease. It also means that obese people have a higher risk of heart stroke or heart attack. Severe obesity is also associated with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Diabetes mellitus:
Obesity is the main cause of type 2 diabetes and it usually begins in the adult stage but due to improper diet and lifestyle, it is now occurring in children. High blood sugar levels can also cause heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and stroke. Obesity causes insulin resistance, thus elevates the blood sugar level.
Sleep apnea:
Sleep apnea causes the people to stop breathing for a short period which causes an interruption in the sleep throughout the night and causes sleepiness. This may lead to snoring and is also associated with restricted breathing. An overweight person may have the chance of accumulation of fat around the neck. It makes the airway smaller which makes the breathing loud or difficult.
Bone-related problems or joint damage:
Obesity contributes to the number of disorders of bones and joint tissues. It increases the risk of personal injuries and accidents. It mainly affects the knees and hips because of the stress put on the joints by being overweight. People with heavy weight or obesity have higher levels of substances that cause inflammation. This may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Cancer:
Women who are suffering from obesity are at an increased risk of cancer such as breast, colon, uterus and gall bladder. Men with obesity have a higher risk of prostate and colon cancer etc.
Fatty liver:
Obesity is the main cause of the fatty liver and non-alcoholic liver disease which cause scarring of the liver and result in the alteration of the liver functions and have a higher risk of liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Symptoms include retention of fluid, indigestion, abdominal pain, etc.
Psychosocial effects on the body:
In this culture with the idea of physical attractiveness is to be thin, those who are obese or overweight suffer various disadvantages. These are blamed for their health or condition. It is not easy for an overweight person having a lower income or having fewer or no romantic relationships. Disapproval may lead to discrimination, bias or torment.
Some other common health problems:
Gall bladder stones:
Accumulation and buildup of bile harden the gall bladder and forms gall stones. This condition can be painful and according to the symptoms and duration, it may require surgery.
Muscle and joint pain:
Wearing and tearing of the joints by any injury, carrying extra weight or accidents may lead to arthritis in adults.
Depression:
People who are obese or overweight are likely to be depressed and the person may lose his/her confidence and have a lower esteem level.
What are the symptoms of obesity?
BMI more than 30 (BMI defines as the accumulation of the excessive fat content in the body)
- Excessive perspiration
- Snoring
- Breathlessness
- Pain in joints and back region
- Tiredness
- Unable to cope with sudden physical activity
- Low confidence level
What are the complications of being overweight or obesity?
- Due to excessive fat accumulation, there will be constant pressure on the veins and arteries which may lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack or myocardial infarction.
- Improper blood circulation to the brain may lead to a stroke.
- Infertility is the main complication of obesity.
- The person might feel socially unacceptable and has a lower esteem level which results in depression.
