Health alert: Excess body fat increases our risks for several serious health complications. Obesity is measured as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Use this online tool to calculate your BMI: https://www.gethealthy.sa.gov.au/healthier-you/tools-and-calculators/bmi-calculator/ 

The risks of obesity:

Type 2 diabetes

Obesity can lead to Type 2 diabetes which can cause heart disease, nerve damage (may result in amputation), kidney disease leading to dialysis, and eye damage, even blindness.

Heart disease and strokes

Extra fat means your heart must work even harder to pump blood around the body which causes high blood pressure, or hypertension which causes damage to the heart and arteries.

Fatty deposits build up in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Arteries that become narrow can lead to heart attacks and clots which cause strokes that can result in speech and language impairment, weakened muscles, and affect thinking and reasoning skills.

Fat stored around the neck can make the airway too small causing the breath to stop for short periods while sleeping. If left untreated sleep apnoea can lead to heart failure and heart attacks.

Liver disease

When excess fat builds up in the liver, it can cause liver failure which leads to complications such as seizures, bleeding, and confusion.

Digestive and reproductive systems

Obesity is linked to a risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which causes a burning pain in the chest, nausea, and regurgitation. There’s a risk of developing gallstones which is extremely painful and may require surgery. Difficulties falling pregnant and serious health concerns while pregnant and giving birth are also common.

Cancer

Research shows a link between obesity and the risk for certain cancers such as breast, colon, gallbladder, pancreatic, kidney, and prostate cancer.

Depression and discomfort

There’s a strong connection between obesity and major depressive disorder. In addition, excess weight puts pressure on the joints which can be extremely painful, and can cause uncomfortable skin conditions such as psoriasis, melanoma, and poor wound healing.

There is hope: You can lower your risk for obesity

If you’re obese, losing just 5 to 10% of your current weight can reduce your risk of developing these health issues. Talk with your doctor about losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can also call LifeAssist and speak to a dietician, at no cost to you or your family.

Written by LifeAssist