 |
Medical Studies
In 1980, Dr. Drenick published an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association
reporting on a study of 200 obese men between the ages of 25 to 35,
all of whom had a BMI* greater than 40. After 7 years, he found that 50
men out of 200 were dead. He concluded that if a person was morbidly obese,
they were 12 times more likely to die early than a non-obese person.
|
|
More recently, a 1999 article in the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a study
of 1 million people over a span of more than 14 years.
The study showed that there was a direct correlation between
BMI* and the risk of death, regardless of what the cause was.
The most common cause of death in obese people was heart attack.
|
*BMI - Body-Mass-Index. See Measuring Obesity
Diseases
High Blood Pressure
Persistently elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is much more common in people who are obese.
Hypertension can lead to the development of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and arterial
blockage.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is seen 6 times more commonly in obese persons which can
lead to heart attack and congestive heart failure. In fact, severely obese
persons are 40 times more likely to die suddenly from a heart attack.
High Cholesterol Level
High blood cholesterol levels are more commonly associated with obesity
and contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, specifically Adult-Onset or type II, is 10 times more
common in obesity. Persistently elevated blood sugar leads to tissue damage
including kidney failure, blindness, heart failure, stroke, and arterial
blockage which can result in amputation.
Respiratory Problems
Being overweight is commonly accompanied by the feeling of "being
winded" and the need to stop and catch a breath. This is caused by
a heavier chest wall which makes full expansion of the lungs more difficult.
Any activity that requires a greater demand for oxygen, results in shortness
of breath. Exercise, or even daily activities such as climbing up stairs,
housework or running to catch a train, become difficult to perform. Respiratory
insufficiency becomes disabling.
The major breathing problems caused by severe obesity are sleep apnea syndrome and obesity
hypoventilation syndrome. Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing
during sleep. In an overweight person, this is caused by fat compressing
on the neck, which causes loud snoring and periods of apnea. This results
in poor quality and restless sleep due to the lack of oxygen, and subsequently
daytime drowsiness. Most people are unaware that they have this problem,
but the health effects can result in cardiac rhythm disturbances, and
even sudden death. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome typically occurs in
people over 350 pounds, and manifests as shortness of breath, even when
resting. These people are unable to bring enough oxygen to their organs
and tissues, and this may result in heart failure, lung failure and thicker
blood which may predispose to blood clots.
Cancer
Studies have shown that overweight women have a higher risk of cancer
of the breast, uterus and ovaries. Obese men have a higher risk of having
colon and prostate cancer.
|
|
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Acid reflux, or heartburn, is a common occurrence in obese persons for
several reasons. The acid in the stomach is normally prevented from going
back up the esophagus, or swallowing tube, by a valve. The valve can be
overcome by increased pressure in the stomach, which can be caused by
a large meal especially if one lies down afterwards. The weight of a heavy
belly pushing on the stomach can not only cause food and acid to go up
into the esophagus to cause burning, but if severe, can go all the way
up into the air-pipe (or trachea) and be inhaled. This can result in a
severe pneumonia or lung injury. Constant exposure of the esophagus to
acid can also increase the risk of cancer.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Pressure of a heavy belly against the bladder is the cause of urinary
incontinence in women. The increased pressure from a cough, sneeze or
laugh can overcome the strength of the bladder valve to result in leakage
of urine.
Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis of the lower back and weight-bearing joints (hips,
knees, ankles, feet) is the "wear and tear" of bones which are
carrying a greater body weight. Arthritis in the lower back can lead to
nerve compression and chronic pain. Arthritis in the joints can cause
problems walking and may eventually require joint replacement surgery.
Many orthopedic surgeons refuse to perform surgery in severely overweight
patients.
Venous Stasis Disease/Ulcers
The veins of the legs successfully carry blood back to the heart against
gravity because they have one-way valves. These valves are more likely
to breakdown if there is a greater resistance for the blood to flow against.
This resistance is caused by the weight of a heavy abdomen. When the valves
fail, the legs become swollen, discolored and may even develop ulcers.
Venous disease can be debilitating and rarely improves without weight-loss.
Skin Infections
Many overweight persons have skin that folds over on itself. The areas
within the creases can become irritated from sweating and chafing. This
can often lead to infections despite frequent bathing, and causes pain
and discomfort. Skin cuts created from bra straps can also cause pain
and become infected.
Infertility
The excess fat in women plays a significant role in changing the levels
of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in irregular menstrual cycles
and infertility. This is reversible once weight loss is achieved, and
in fact, women should be aware of using birth control if pregnancy is
not desired.
|
|
|
