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GENERAL PERSPECTIVE ON OBESITY |
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| Consider the consequences of obesity |
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| Illnesses associated with obesity |
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Obesity is more than an aesthetic problem; it's a serious health issue that needs scientific solid solutions to solve the problem.
Below are the most usual health risks related to obesity:
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- Health risks when BMI is above 30:
- Diabetes type 2: 7,24%
- Heart Illnesses: 12,56%
- Hypertension: 48%
- Osteoarthritis: 10%
- Men have a higher risk of Diabetes type 2 and Heart Illnesses than women.
- Impact on Quality of life:
When one is obese, daily chores become more complicated:
- Reduced movement
- One becomes tired more quickly
- Lack of breath
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| More information about related Illnesses |
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- More than 30% of patients with Arterial hypertension (AHT) are obese. A 20% weight increase multiplies the risk of developing AHT by 8. When weight is in the morbid or extreme obesity category, the risk is multiplied by 16.
After losing weight, 50 to 75% of patients are cured from AHT, without needing any further medication to control it.
- Cardiovascular Illness (CVI) is another related disease that can include the Coronary Artery (which takes blood to the heart) Illness (CAI), the Peripheral Vascular (inferior member arteries and veins) Illness (PVI) and Congestive Cardiac Insufficiency (CI).
50-70% of patients with Coronary Artery Illnesses (CAI) are obese. A 20Kg weight growth increases the risk of CAI by three. With high levels of fat in the blood, there are high probabilities of fat deposits on the coronary artery walls that create heart attacks.
The loss of weight reverts this risk, reducing deaths caused by CAI by 40%.
- Varicose veins on legs (Varicose Syndrome of Lower Members -VSLM), can be complicated with ulcers, obstruction and swelling of veins (thrombophlebitis).
- 90% of patients with Diabetes Type II (DBT) (high blood sugar levels) are obese. 15 to 20 % of the severely obese have DBT Type II. The risk of DBT with light obesity increases by 2, with moderate obesity it increases 5 times and with morbid or extreme obesity it increases 10 times.
- Growth of cholesterol and triglicerids (fat in the blood) known as DLP (40%) is another obesity related illness.
- Risk of death due to cancer (30% in men and 50% in women). The risk of prostate and colon cancer in men rises 3 times for men while women have the same increase for ovary, biliary vesicule and breast while the risk of uterus cancer is multiplied by 5.
- Breathing disorders such as snoring, falling asleep frequently and the momentary stoppage of breathing, Sleep Apnea (OSA) (20%), are characteristic of severely obese people where there is a reduction of the amount of oxygen in the blood and therefore the brain, consequences can be fatal.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) (25%) known as rheuma, the deformity and pain in joints such as hips, spine, knees and feet improves substantially after weight loss.
- Women often suffer from Infertility (INF) (25%) and irregular menstruation (50%), these conditions regress after weight loss. More frequency of spontaneous abortions, complicated pregnancies with hypertension and diabetes; a higher number of cesarean sections, heavier babies and incontinence during exertion.
- Calculi in the biliary vesicule (3 times more than in the non obese population), the Fatty Liver, and Gout, bring about abnormality in the metabolism of cholesterol and uric acid.
- Obese people suffer from Reflux stomach acid to oesophagus (RGE) 3 times more than those of normal weight. This reflux involves a burning sensation from the stomach and up to the throat, especially alter eating and at bedtime.
- Those with morbid obesity have Psychological and Social problems with a lower self-esteem, social isolation and discrimination. Depression is high (89%) in this case, their psychological trouble is worse socially in the second and third decades of life, they find their ability to find a partner or friends limited.
Inactivity, progressive immobility and depression can push them towards food, thus creating a vicious circle.
- There are physical problems as well, difficulties with the most basic daily activities: limited selection of clothes, body hygiene, sex, limited access to seats (cinema, train or plane), difficulties putting shoes on, crossing legs, going up stairs, etc. as well as greater cost in clothes, food, insurance, getting work and promotion.
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