5 Startling Health Consequences Of Obesity
September 17, 2013How Obesity Can Affect Your Lifestyle
by Tammy J. Colter
Editor-In-Chief
ObesityHelp.com
The effects of obesity are innumerable. With obesity comes the very serious risks of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, social and workplace bias, depression, and even death. And that's just the short list! Here are 5 more ways obesity can affect your health and wellness:
1. Infertility Issues
Indian researchers studied 300 obese women and found that within the time frame of three years, 90% of the women had developed Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal disorder that is one of the leading causes of infertility. Abnormal hormone signals in obese women can lead to the excess production of insulin which can cause irregular ovulation.
Numerous studies have shown obesity in men can cause poor semen quality and quantity and fertility can be affected also due to obesity related erectile dysfunction and a decrease in libido. According to a study conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) men with a higher BMI are notably more likely to be infertile than men who are of a "normal" weight. The NIEHS study found that just a 20 pound weight gain can increase the infertility in men by approximately 10%.
2. Increased Risk Of Reproductive Complications
Researchers have found that obese women have an increased risk of giving birth to a preterm baby and think that the excess weight may weaken the cervical and uterine membranes. Premature births are the number one cause of death in infants. Studies and facts also show that women who are obese during pregnancy can experience other complications such as:
A. Increased risk of death for mother and baby
B. Problems with labor and delivery
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Higher risk of birth defects in children. Especially neural tube defects...(Defects of the brain and spinal cord)
E. C-section delivery. Babies born to women who are obese are likely to be heavier in weight therefore requiring Cesarean section delivery
3. Menacing Migraines
Johns Hopkins researchers surveyed approximately 4,000 individuals and found that the higher an individual's BMI is, the more likely they are to suffer from recurring migraines. The study revealed that those who were obese were 81% more likely to experience about 14 migraine headaches a month in comparison to individuals of what is considered to be a healthy weight.
4. Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea is one of the most common comorbidities for individuals who are obese. Sleep apnea can be a very serious and even fatal disorder. There are two main types of sleep apnea:
A. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the air flow stops or decreases because of the blockage of the upper airway.
B. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a condition which causes repetitive cessations in breathing because the brain stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.
A third type of sleep apnea is called mixed apnea which is aptly named as it is a combination of obstructive and central apnea.
The lack of quality sleep plays a major factor in contributing to the disease of obesity as well as other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
5. Healthcare Bias
A Yale study revealed that 67% of obese men and women felt that they were being fat-shamed and looked upon negatively by their doctor's and staff. This fact causes many who are obese less likely to continually seek medical treatment.
It was also found that at least 50% of doctor's found obese patients to be less likely to comply with recommended medical treatment and remedies. And sadly, 24% of nurses conveyed that they felt "repulsed" by their obese patients.
Have you experienced healthcare bias or any of the consequences of obesity above? We would love to hear from you! By sharing your thoughts, insights, and life journeys with the ObesityHelp.com community, you can help to make a difference. Share your comments below or send your story to: [email protected].