Obesity and Health Complications

Rates of obesity in the United States are at an all-time high according to the American Medical Association. Almost 40% of our population can be described as obese or clinically obese (a BMI over 30). It’s clear to see that we have an obesity epidemic. But, simply being obese isn’t the real problem. Negative health consequences and possibly weakening of the brain are causing the real medical crises and increases in medical expenses in the United States. Let’s take a quick look at some of the conditions that are associated with obesity.

Diabetes

The CDC suspects that around 100 million Americans either have diabetes or are pre-diabetic and are unaware. That’s a little under one-third of our entire population. And, according to experts, the number of obesity-related diabetes is on the rise. This condition can lead to damage to vital organs and may even result in blindness, heart failure, kidney failure and nerve damage. Diabetes shortens the life expectancy and increases risk or mortality.

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Cancer

The American Cancer Society reports that many types of cancer are associated with obesity and that one-third of cancer deaths are related to obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. In particular, colon cancer, cancer of the rectum and breast, esophagus, pancreas and kidney. Other forms of cancer also appear to be associated with obesity including blood cancers, cancer of the liver, and gallbladder, cervix, ovaries, and prostate.

Brain

Being overweight or obese as we age may have negative effects on our brain according to new studies. In general, obesity seems to accelerate aging of the brain by ten or more years. People with a higher Body Mass Index or BMI, have a thinner cerebral cortex, which means less gray matter later in life. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain which is responsible for memory and language. Having deficits in these two areas can lead to a number of difficulties as we age. Obesity and brain health studies are nothing new. Previous research has reported that obesity has been linked to a greater risk of developing dementia as well as a general decline in brain function. Obesity is a chronic state of inflammation which may negatively impact the brain, like poor cognitive performance (i.e. memory, attention, calculation, abstract thought).

Other Conditions

Besides diabetes, cancer, and brain function, obesity has been linked to several health conditions and diseases. It is well known that heart and coronary artery disease and stroke are highly associated with obesity. Hypertension is strongly linked to obesity, with over 75% of cases associated directly with obesity. Liver and gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea are also impacted by weight.

Final Wordson Obesity and Health Complications

Obesity is a serious health problem in the United States. Rates of obesity have never been so high and they are predicted to rise even higher. This trend can be a disaster for millions of Americans and is responsible for some of the rising costs of health care. Obesity is associated with far too many health conditions and diseases and reviewing the data on obesity and its consequences on people’s health and well-being in the United States is alarming. The only thing to reduce obesity in our country is to educate people concerning two behaviors – eating better and exercising more.