How Obesity Influences your Health

Obesity is a chronic disease that is becoming increasingly common throughout the United States. More than one-third of the U.S. population is obese, with another third being overweight. As the rate of obesity rises, so does that of obesity-related health concerns.

Researchers from Stanford University estimate that obesity is responsible for approximately 300,000 premature deaths annually, as well as approximately 150 billion dollars in healthcare costs.

The longer you struggle with obesity, the greater your risk of developing at least one obesity-related health disease becomes. Individuals who are overweight as children have an especially difficult time losing weight once they reach adulthood, and they are at heightened risk for health complications as a result of their weight.

Health Risks of Obesity

Obesity affects your health in several ways. The condition develops when fat builds-up in deposits around the body, causing you to carry excess weight. This puts added pressure on your heart, joints and other organs as your body works harder to function properly.

Excess weight influences blood flow, artery health and hormone levels. When you are overweight or obese, the way your body processes sugar , uses it for energy and stores it for later use may be influenced. This can affect the health of your heart, your brain and other organs in the body.

Obesity increases your risk for health concerns like:

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)
• Stoke
• Heart attack
• Type-2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Metabolic syndrome
• Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• Depression

In addition to these most commonly known health concerns, obesity can cause infertility, gallstones and generalized sleep disruptions. It can also diminish natural energy levels and negatively influence your mental well-being.

How Weight Loss Surgery Can Help

Losing weight can reduce your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, and in some cases reverse the onset of certain illnesses. Health benefits are often noticeable after losing just five to 10 percent of one’s excess body weight. This means that after weight loss surgery, you may experience numerous health benefits within the first few months following your operation.