Obesity – Consequences

Experts agree that being overweight makes you ill. Obesity, but also being overweight, are a risk factor for numerous lifestyle diseases, above all diseases of the vessels and the cardiovascular system:  hypertension  (high blood pressure), arteriosclerosis, including consequences such as  heart attacks  and strokes. This risk increases if, in addition to overweight, hypertension  is  accompanied by diabetes and dyslipidemia (“fatal quartet”).

Consequences and risks of obesity

Especially with  obesity permagna  (BMI from 40), the following risks are not uncommon:

• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Left heart enlargement, arteriosclerosis
• heart attack, stroke
• Disturbed sugar metabolism up to diabetes
• dyslipidemia
• Increased blood clotting
• Gout , spinal diseases, arthrosis
• Gallbladder disease, fatty liver, reflux disease
• dementia
• Hormonal disorders (e.g. reduced fertility)
• lung and breathing problems
• sleep apnea
• Cancer (e.g.  breast cancer , uterine cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer)
• Wound healing disorders, increased risk of surgery and anesthesia, increased complication rates during pregnancy

Obesity: Consequences of a general nature

In addition, there are general symptoms of obesity such as increased sweating, shortness of breath and joint pain. In obesity permagna, activities of daily living are often restricted. Many of those affected perceive their massive obesity as a restriction in their quality of life or suffer from the reactions of their environment.

The rate of depression and anxiety disorders is increased in people with obesity. Numerous studies on obesity have shown that a high BMI is associated with a reduced life expectancy.

Obesity: BMI and fat distribution

The risk of complications from obesity not only depends on the  BMI  , but also strongly on how the excess weight is distributed:

• It is now known that the so-called apple type, in which the fat stores are located around the middle of the body (and thus also on the internal organs), has a particularly high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• The pear type, on the other hand, where the fat pads settle more comfortably on the hips and thighs, is less at risk.

In general, the waist circumference serves as a rough indicator – in women this indicates an increased risk from 80 cm, in men from 94 cm. By the way: A physically fit person with a higher BMI probably has a lower risk of secondary diseases than someone who is only slightly overweight and never moves.