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Consequences of Obesity

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in many parts of the world. It is caused by an increased intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods, and a sedentary lifestyle. About 2.8 million people die every year due to health problems associated with being obese or overweight. Obesity has a significant impact on physical and mental health as well as quality of life. 

Risks of being Obese or Overweight

Being obese or overweight can increase your risk for conditions such as:

  • Hypertension
  • Heart disease
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Some types of cancer
  • Depression

Benefits of Losing Weight

Some of the important benefits of losing weight include:

  • Higher Energy Levels: Increased energy levels is one of the first things people notice after losing significant amounts of excess weight. This is because weight loss improves oxygen efficiency and there is less weight on your body as you go about your activities of daily living.
  • Less Joint Pain: With every step, you take while walking, each knee joint is subjected to stress equal to 4 times your bodyweight. Shedding even a small amount of excess weight can make a big improvement to your joint pain. 
  • Improvement in Health Conditions: Most patients with obesity-associated conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis experience a reduction in their symptoms after weight-loss surgery and can be weaned off their regular medications.
  • Strengthened Immunity: Obesity can compromise your immune system. Conversely, losing excess weight strengthens your immunity and improves resistance to bacterial and viral infections.
  • Greater Mental Alertness: Reduction in weight contributes to improved metabolism which can increase your ability to focus and complete organizational tasks with greater ease. 
  • Improved Self-Confidence: The improvement in your physical appearance and reduction in your waistline will provide a tremendous boost to your self-confidence at work and with social interactions.
  • Better Quality of Sleep: Most people that have undergone weight loss surgery report better quality of sleep, with less snoring and daytime sleepiness.

Are You a Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?

You may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery if you have:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher 
  • A BMI of 30 with obesity-related health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes
  • A history of being unsuccessful at losing weight with diet and exercise despite multiple attempts

Related Topics

American College of Surgeons American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons