Weight Loss - Common Health Risks From Obesity
Safe Weight Loss is a real concern for those who are obese. Health science and nutrition is always changing. It often seems like the newer studies contradict ones that have been done previously. It is often difficult to know which study to believe. However, over the last several decades, a large assortment of self-sufficient studies has come to the same conclusions about the relationship between certain health risks and excess body fat.
The overall conclusion is that someone who is considerably overweight has a higher risk to develop a number of possible health problems. These include high blood pressure, various forms of heart conditions, colon cancer, diabetes, gallstones and liver damage as well as others. But what is considered to be ‘considerably overweight”?
There is no ideal weight for any given person. However, there are a variety of factors that can provide a healthy range. As a starting point, one measurement is Body Mass Index or BMI. In order to calculate BMI, you simply divide your weight (in kg) by your height (in m) squared. The following is a table with some rough classifications.
Under 18.5 = Underweight
Between 18.5 and 24.99 = Normal Weight
Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight
Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese (Class 1)
Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese (Class 2)
40 and above = Extreme Obesity
For someone who is on the lower end of the BMI scale, they could potentially have the same health problems as someone on the higher end of the BMI scale. Environmental factors and genetic factors will outweigh any weight or body fat issues. However, for someone on the higher end of the BMI scale, there is strong evidence that proves they are at a higher risk for health problems. One example is abdominal obesity or someone who has a large amount of fat around their abdomen and stomach. Abdominal obesity is often associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular disease. For women, a waist circumference of 35 inches and higher, is an indicator of abdominal obesity. For men, it is a waist circumference of 40 inches and higher. Among other conditions, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and high blood pressure are all common health problems associated with abdominal obesity.
Atherosclerosis, narrowing of the arteries, contributes to the possibility of a blood clot which can ultimately lead to a stroke. One factor that can produce this condition is excessive body fat. At the same time, excessive body fat can also play a role in hypertension (increased blood pressure). For the average person, rapid weight gain, from 10-20 pounds, can increase their odds of developing Type 2 diabetes. According to most studies genetic factors are fundamental, but weight gain can also play a part. For someone who is overweight, their risk is nearly double than that of someone who is not overweight, when other factors are held constant. Safe weight loss is important to healing from these risks.
Unless associated with excessive alcohol consumption, liver disease can be caused by insulin resistance. This type of resistance is much more likely to occur in someone who is obese. There are many studies that have corrected BMI with a certain degree of liver disease. Someone with a higher BMI has a greater chance of developing liver trouble than that one someone with a lower BMI. Someone who is obese stands a greater chance of getting gallstones and may be correlated with someone who has a rapid rise in a BMI. Interruption of breathing during sleep or sleep apnea is another condition that is commonly linked to obesity.
Although there is no study that is definitive and there are a variety of environmental elements and genetic factors, excessive body fat is a substantial factor in regards to health issues. Being overweight is not simply an issue of an acceptable appearance; it is also a health risk. With all of the health risks of being obese, safe weight loss is a vital part of regaining your health.