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Understanding Obesity
Obesity in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1950’s, with
more than one third of the U.S. population overweight or obese.
There are now an estimated 8-10 million people in the U.S. considered “morbidly
obese”, meaning they are 100 pounds or more over their healthy weight. Morbid
obesity is a disease characterized by severe accumulation of fat, strong
resistance to dietary management, greatly increased risk of health problems, and
a shortened life span.
However, even people who are 50-100 pounds overweight are putting their health
at risk. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase of 20
percent or more above your “healthy” or “ideal” body weight is the point where
excess weight becomes a health risk. If you are at least 75 pounds overweight
and have tried other forms of weight loss unsuccessfully, you may be a potential
candidate for surgery for weight loss management.
What causes obesity?
Many people think obesity is simply a result of overeating. Although, this is
true for people with certain eating disorders or glandular abnormalities, it’s
not that simple. Ongoing research shows that, once established, it is almost
impossible to control by dieting. The disease is also considered chronic and
worsens with time, which means that it requires lifelong control and treatment.
Unfortunately, medical weight loss programs-diet, exercise, drugs, and behavior
modification - fail in at least 95% of morbidly obese patients no matter how much
they want to lose weight or how hard they try. And even patients who are 50-100
pounds overweight may be unable to shed pounds and improve their health without
some form of medical intervention.
Lifestyle can foster obesity in people whose body stores fat efficiently. In the
United States, the convenience fast food, large proportions, little or no
structure in meal planning, high-fat, high-calorie snacks, sugar-laden sodas,
and a lack of proper exercise magnify the hereditary factors that underlie
obesity.
Obesity-Related Diseases
Eventually being obese damages your body and shortens your lifespan. The
most common and the serious obesity-related diseases are:
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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Almost 95% of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Obesity can
cause the body to develop a resistance to insulin, which results in high blood
sugar levels. Over time, too much sugar in the blood seriously harms various
tissues of the body, including the nervous and circulatory systems.
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High Cholesterol
“High Cholesterol” is shorthand for the medical term
‘hypercholesterolemia,’
a common abnormality of lipid (fat) metabolism. When the blood contains too
much low-density cholesterol and other lipids, these substances begin to stick
to and build up on artery walls, restricting blood flow through the arteries.
This disease is more commonly known as hardening of the arteries or
“atherosclerosis”. Its presence increases the risk of hypertension and coronary
artery disease, which can result in a heart attack or stroke.
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Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
In obese people, the heart is forced to work much harder than it was
designed to. Over time, this stress can damage the heart and the kidneys. When
such damage is accompanied by high blood pressure (hypertension), heart
attack, stroke or congestive heart failure can result.
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Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Arthritis
Excess weight on weight-bearing joints, especially the hips, knees,
ankles, and feet, eventually leads to joint damage and inflammation,
accompanied by pain and loss of mobility. In obese people, this disease can
also affect the spine.
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Cancer
Obesity increases the risk of uterine and breast cancer in women and
prostate cancer in men. In both sexes, the presence of any type of cancer
increases the risk of mortality.
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Sleep Apnea
In some people, the body stores extra fat in the tongue and neck. During
sleep, these tissues relax and obstruct the air passage, making it difficult
to breathe. This is especially true for those who sleep on their back. Because
these people never achieve a deep, restful sleep, they often wake up feeling
tired and are low on energy all day long.
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Heartburn and Acid Indigestion
Referred to by doctors’ as “gastro-esophageal reflux,” heartburn and acid
indigestion occur when gastric acid flows backward into the esophagus or food
pipe through the valve at the top of the stomach. Habitual overeating weakens
this valve. This condition can cause extreme discomfort, and if left
untreated, gastro-esophageal reflux increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
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Psychological Depression
Depression is common in people who are morbidly obese. Feelings of extreme
sadness or emptiness, an inability to take pleasure in any activity, insomnia,
constant fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or unnecessary guilt, and
inability to concentrate only add to the difficulty of coping with physical
problems.
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Urinary Stress Incontinence
A large abdomen and weak abdominal muscles can weaken the urinary bladder
enough to allow urine to leak from it during coughing, sneezing and laughing.
Embarrassing and difficult to live with, this disease adds to the social and
psychological damage caused by morbid obesity.
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Venous Stasis in the Legs
Heart or kidney disease caused by excess weight can keep the veins in the
legs from functioning properly, making it difficult for the blood in the legs
to return to the heart. As a result, the legs and ankles often become swollen
and sometimes ulcers can develop on the legs.
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Social and Psychological Effects
Obesity also has significant social, psychological and even economic
effects. Almost everything in life is more difficult for the obese- shopping
for clothes, driving a car, traveling on a plane, going to the theater,
employment, job advancement, obtaining medical insurance, family
relationships, and just difficulty with relationships in general. However
unfair and in some cases illegal, social and economic difficulties are very
real and can be devastating.
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