Obesity continues to be one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide. The fact that obesity cases keep escalating is alarming, considering it is one of the major causes of severe cardiovascular illnesses. Currently, more than 1.5 billion people around the globe live with the condition. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 600 million adults and 370 million children are victims. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 15 million people in the United States live with the condition. This figure has significantly escalated since 2019, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors are associated with obesity. Therefore, the ultimate goal remains to deal with the underlying issues. This will, in turn, minimize new cases and improve the existing ones.
Why is obesity harmful to our bodies?
Hormonal Imbalance and Obesity
● Insulin Resistance
Obesity is closely linked to type 2 diabetes, which means that it is one of the major contributors to insulin resistance. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity leads to increased intra-abdominal fat distribution and intramuscular triglyceride content, which in turn increases insulin resistance. Cells in the body become less sensitive to insulin because of the excess weight. According to statistics, 90% of people living with obesity have type 2 diabetes.
● Leptin Resistance
Leptin is a hormone that the white adipose tissue releases to maintain your average body weight. The hormone regulates hunger, which is achieved by balancing food intake and energy use. In brief, the level of leptin in your body is directly proportional to the amount of your body fat. Therefore, abnormal levels of leptin signify that one has leptin resistance. This means the hormone is unable to regulate hunger, thus making it impossible to control food intake. Many people with obesity also have reduced satiety, which only worsens the condition.
● Increased Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the body’s endocrine system. This hormone is significant as it controls blood pressure and glucose metabolism and aids the body’s reaction to stress. Therefore, there is a need for the right amount of cortisol release of cortisol in the body. Too much or too little cortisol can actually lead to health consequences. Obesity is one of the primary causes of high cortisol levels. This is because obesity leads to overeating, which, in turn, increases cortisol production. According to NIH, the majority of individuals with abdominal obesity have elevated cortisol levels.
● Sex Hormones
The primary sex hormone is testosterone in men and estrogen in women. These hormones must be kept in a healthy balance to maintain good sexual health. Obesity interferes with sexual performance in both men and women. In men, the excess fat cells lessen the production of testosterone and increase the production of estrogen. This highly likely leads to erectile dysfunction. In women, the excess fat cells elevate the production of testosterone and estrogen. Most men and women living with obesity have low sexual libido.
● Decreased HGH Levels
HGH is a hormone the pituitary gland produces and is responsible for growth and development. In individuals with obesity, the HGH secretion level declines, leading to stunted growth. Due to elevated levels of free fatty acids, obesity suppresses the secretion of GH. This can lead to harmful consequences, as HGH deficiency is a contributing factor to several health issues. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HGH deficiency can lead to low sugar levels, osteoporosis, depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. On the brighter side, there is a treatment for HGH deficiency, which involves daily injections of synthetic growth hormone.
HGH Therapy costs are referred to as HGH therapy. This treatment lasts several years, with signs of improvement showing as early as three to five months. The average treatment cost for HGH deficiency ranges from $1200 to $5000, depending on the required dose.
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
● Heart Disease
Due to excess fat, obesity is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Obesity is associated with the key markers of heart disease, which include high blood pressure, diabetes, and excess cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, individuals living with obesity have a 28% chance of developing heart disease compared to healthy people. The typical heart diseases that result from obesity include stroke, hypertension, stroke and coronary artery disease.
● Diabetes
Obesity may lead to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The excess fats cause insulin resistance, thus interfering with the regulation of blood sugar. The World Health Organization reports that 90% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese. The American Heart Association reports that half of new diabetes cases yearly are consequences of obesity.
● Joint Problems
The excess fat associated with obesity exerts a lot of pressure on the joints, especially knee and hip joints. This progressively leads to soft tissue damage and osteoarthritis. Other joint problems linked to obesity include Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and meniscal tears, to mention a few.
● Respiratory Issues
The excess abdominal fat associated with obesity impairs the diaphragm’s functioning ability. The pressure exerted against the diaphragm causes it to fail to expand the lungs as required. In turn, the lungs are unable to draw in enough air volume for standard respiratory flow. Some of the respiratory complications caused by obesity are acute respiratory distress syndrome, ventilation failure, reduced lung volumes, and restrictive pulmonary damage.
● Cancer
The National Cancer Institute reports that obesity is a contributing factor to pancreatic, kidney, esophageal, breast, uterine, and colorectal cancer. The excess visceral fats surrounding vital body organs deprive those organs of oxygen. This, in turn, leads to inflammation, which may eventually lead to cancer.
Obesity Crisis
Obesity is a serious condition as it is a crucial marker for some of the most lethal health complications. Some of the diseases caused by obesity include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory complications, among others. The fact that many cases of obesity are associated with life-threatening conditions is a cause for concern. As healthcare professionals are establishing more mitigation strategies to curb the endemic, we must incorporate self-care routines to lower the chances of obesity. In conjunction with that, individuals with the condition should seek medical assistance for treatment and management. This will help manage the existing underlying issues and lessen the chances of developing other potential health complications associated with obesity.
Rockies Ripple is the founder and lead writer behind the independent blog tvplutos.com