Many people do not realize that obesity is considered a chronic disease. Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Obesity is generally defined as when you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. This condition puts you at risk of having diseases such as:
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Some cancers
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Depression
- Obstructive sleep apnea
In addition, obesity has also been linked to a higher risk for complications from COVID.
Body mass index (BMI) is just one measure used to define obesity, but where your excess body fat is located also matters. If it’s mostly around your stomach (the “apple” shape), that may be riskier than if you have a “pear” shape, meaning that your extra weight is mostly around your hips and buttocks.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Having obesity makes you more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both of those conditions make heart disease or stroke more likely.
Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. People affected by obesity are about 6 times more likely to have high blood sugar. If you have type 2 diabetes, treatments that help you lose any excess weight and become more physically active can help control your blood sugar levels better.
Cancer
Cancers of the colon and breast (after menopause), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), kidney and esophagus are linked to obesity. Some studies have also reported links between obesity and cancers of the gallbladder, ovaries, and pancreas. As body mass index (BMI) increases, so does your risk of cancer and death from cancer.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common with excess weight.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common joint condition that most often affects the knee, hip, or back. Carrying extra pounds places extra pressure on these joints and wears away the cartilage (tissue cushioning the joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can ease the stress on the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that happens when you have too much uric acid in your blood. The extra uric acid can form crystals that deposit in the joints and cause pain. Gout is more common in people that have obesity. This may be related to insulin resistance.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing condition that’s linked to obesity. More than half of those affected by obesity (around 45 percent) have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Contact Us for a Healthy Path
So, what is the best approach that you can take to improve these above conditions? Weight loss!
A real food diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and high omega-3 sources such as olive oil, fish, and raw nuts, as well as an individualized daily carbohydrate number and an individualized exercise program is the way to go for weight loss.
You do not have to be on a Keto diet or Paleo diet with extremely low daily carb amounts to lose weight, just get your individualized daily carb number for weight loss determined by a licensed credentialed Registered Dietitian. An individualized carb number for weight loss gives you a feeling of more control and allows you to have more carbs without being on a depressing no-carb diet.
For a kick start to your weight loss there are some meal replacement programs and weight loss medications that can help. Where can you find what you need to get to a more realistic and healthier weight? Find a medically supervised weight loss program with a licensed Registered Dietitian and also a Health Care Provider (that can prescribe medications as appropriate) that can educate you on a real food diet and assess your individualized daily carbohydrate number for weight loss. In addition, a good medically supervised weight loss program will provide accountability with bi-monthly or monthly weigh-ins, follow-up appointments with the health care provider, support, education, and reinforcement.