Obesity Part 2: The Health Concerns in a body.

One of the most frustrating health issues of the contemporary world, obesity has become an epidemic in nature across the world and affects millions of people of diverse ages, income levels, and cultural backgrounds. A condition where there is an excess of body fat with a health risk, obesity is no longer a bodily ailment but a complex medical condition with serious physical, psychological, and social implications.

The incidence of obesity has been attributed to a vast array of reasons like passive lifestyles, poor eating habits, genetics, and environment. Challenges presented by obesity go far beyond physical appearance; they disrupt all aspects of life from personal health to career opportunities.

Causes of Obesity

Obesity is caused by a mismatch between calorie consumption and energy expenditure. When an individual takes in more calories than they expend, the excess energy is deposited as fat, causing weight gain. Several factors are responsible for this imbalance:

1. Poor Diet – Fast and processed foods with high sugar content, unhealthy fats, and refined carbs have experienced an exponential rise. These foods contain a lot of calories but not a single nutrient, thereby playing a big role in causing obesity. Supersized portions, fried foods, and added sugars just compound the problem.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle – Physical activity has been significantly curtailed by modern life. With working hours spent sitting for hours, dependency on cars, and screen entertainment, individuals aren’t active enough. Inactivity slows down metabolism, and individuals put on weight.
3. Metabolism and Genetics – An individual can be genetically inclined to weight gain than another individual. While genetics do not alone cause obesity, they play a role in how the body stores fat and metabolizes food. Some individuals have a naturally slower metabolism, and therefore it is more difficult for them to lose weight.
4. Psychological Factors – Food is employed to manage depression, stress, anxiety, and emotional eating, which leads to overeating. This leads to unhealthy weight gain. Additionally, poor sleep and stress interfere with hunger and metabolism hormones.
5. Medical Conditions and Drugs – Certain medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism contribute to obesity. Certain drugs, beta-blockers, steroids, and antidepressants, also result in weight gain as a side effect.

Issues Encountered Owing to Obesity

Obesity is not just about gaining excess weight—while gaining excess weight, it includes a range of serious health issues, emotional problems, and social problems.

1. Health Problems

Obesity significantly raises the risk of numerous potentially lethal conditions like:

Heart Disease and Stroke – Obesity strains the heart, causing high blood pressure, imbalance of cholesterol, and risk of heart attack and stroke.

Type 2 Diabetes – Obesity is one of the leading causes of insulin resistance that may result in diabetes. Chronic disease affects millions of people across the world and may result in complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and blindness.

Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis – Excess weight puts huge pressure on joints, especially the hips, knees, and lower back. This causes long-term pain, reduced mobility, and conditions like osteoarthritis.

Respiratory Conditions – Obesity makes a person vulnerable to sleep apnea, in which breathing is temporarily stopped and starts again multiple times while sleeping. It also predisposes a person to develop asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Liver Disease – Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese individuals results in inflammation of the liver and severe conditions such as cirrhosis.

Cancer – Research indicates that being obese raises the risk of specific types of cancers such as breast, colon, kidney, and pancreatic cancer.

Reproductive and Endocrine Problems – Obesity is the origin of fertility issues in women and men. In women, it causes irregular menstrual periods and pregnancy complications.

2. Psychological and Emotional Impact

Obesity does not only harm the body—it also takes a serious toll on the mind:

Low Self-Esteem and Body Image Issues – Obese individuals generally suffer from low self-image and lowered confidence levels, even withdrawal from society in some instances.

Depression and Anxiety – Stigma and discrimination against obese individuals are responsible for mental health issues. They feel sad and depressed and develop depression and anxiety disorders.

Eating Disorders – Others form unhealthy relationships with food, alternating between bingeing and extreme dieting, only making their weight problems worse.

3. Social and Professional Challenges

Obesity tends to lead to discrimination and prejudice in both social and work settings:

Workplace Discrimination – Obese individuals are most likely to face issues in employment or promotion due to perceptions against their physique and lack of self-restraint.

Social Stigma – Overweight individuals are unjustly criticized by society, attributing their weight to laziness or poor self-control. This leads to social isolation and the loss of friends.

Barriers in Daily Activities – Even simple tasks such as climbing stairs, obtaining good-fitting attire, or sitting in public areas can be challenging for the obese. Keep Reading Foramz for your daily dose of moral support.