Tuesday 14 July 2015

So, you’re fat: does it really matter?


With so much emphasis on ‘body beautiful’ it’s all too easy to decide that being slim is just a celebrity driven fad.  Here are a few facts about body fat and our health that might encourage those of us with a few pounds to lose to make today the day to start work on our body!
So, what effect does being fat have on our body?

Sleep;  being overweight can mean that fatty deposits in the neck can interrupt breathing at night – this in turn leads to poor quality sleep and therefore feeling really tired during the day.
Gallstones; overweight people have increased amounts of cholesterol in bile, which can cause the formation of gallstones.  Gallstones give rise to inflammation, infection and pain, often resulting in the need for surgery.

Gastric reflux; did you know that there can be increased pressure around the stomach from excess body fat which can weaken the opening into the oesophagus which will cause food and stomach acid to leak out causing heart burn and discomfort
Fatty Liver disease; being overweight can lead to build up of fat in the liver and can progress to more serious liver problems

Joint and Back pain; carrying extra weight puts a strain on joints such as knees and hips, leading to osteoarthritis and pain.  Back pain also occurs when the spine is forced to carry to much weight around
Stroke; obesity is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, giving rise to heart attacks and stroke

High blood pressure; people who are overweight are much more likely to have high blood pressure.  High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and cause heart attack and stroke. 
High cholesterol; being overweight leads to raised cholesterol levels which can lead to build up of plaque in the arteries which can increase blood pressure and lead to heart attacks and stroke

Metabolic Syndrome; a combination of health issues –
1, being overweight,

2, a large waist circumference,
3, having a high blood pressure,

4, insulin resistance,
5, unhealthy level of body fats

So,  ‘Metabolic Syndrome’  is a cluster of risk factors that can cause serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke & diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes; people who are overweight are more likely to be insulin resistant – which can lead to diabetes as the body has difficulty controlling blood sugars.  Diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage and vision loss.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) ; because being overweight can lead to insulin resistance, the body will try to produce more.  This can lead to the ovaries producing too much testosterone which interferes with ovulation problems, menstrual problems and fertility issues.   The presence of high male hormones in women can cause increased body hair, acne and irregular periods.

Cancer; being overweight increases the risk of getting some types of cancer, particularly breast, colon and oesophagus

Infertility and Miscarriage ;    being overweight can cause hormonal imbalances which can lead to ovulation and fertility problems.  Being obese when pregnant may increase the risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, pre – eclampsia, gestational diabetes, complications during childbirth and stillbirth.

Fatigue; you carry a lot of extra weight around – you’re going to be tired!                                                                    

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