Obesity is affecting millions of people in India. We all know that obesity causes a wide array of problems for the individual ranging from diabetes to heart disease. While it adversely affects a person’s overall health, excess weight also impairs a person’s posture and even mobility. Obesity puts extra pressure on a person’s bones, muscles and joints.
Before moving ahead to the ways in which Obesity affects the heart, let’s take a look at how badly it affects a person’s posture. After all, a bad posture itself can lead to myriad health problems.
Excess weight and posture
Excess weight causes a person to have extra weight in the Abdominal area. As a result, the body is ‘pulled forward’ – due to the weight – resulting in the spine acquiring an unnatural curvature. This leads to bad posture while walking, sitting or even while lying down.
Please note that a bad posture is not the only orthopaedic condition that can affect the obese. There are other worse problems including knee pain and hip pain that can affect mobility and require surgical intervention.
Obesity and the company it keeps
Obesity is often accompanied by the deadly twins: high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Recognized the world across as silent killers, both these deadly conditions can ruin a person’s health if not diagnosed and treated on time. They also play a key role in damaging heart health. Let’s take a look at how obesity in the vicious company of increased blood sugar and blood pressure intensifies one’s chance of developing cardiac problems.
The good cholesterol, the bad cholesterol
It is a well-known fact that obesity contributes to the increase of bad cholesterol which ends up blocking the arteries. It’s also true that obesity results in lowering what is known as the good cholesterol – High Density Lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. By opting to reduce weight a person can get rid of the bad cholesterol and lower his chances of getting affected with Heart problems.
Of course, it’s not easy to get rid of the extra flab that one has accumulated over the years. At the same time, it’s not impossible. By saying no to junk food, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, etc., one can keep one’s weight under check and live a happy and active life.
The increased pressure
Obesity leads to increased blood pressure since obese people need more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the body. Quite naturally, the body requires more pressure to perform the task. This leads to high blood pressure and eventually increases a person’s chances of getting a heart attack.
The deadly diabetes
Diabetes and heart problems often go hand in hand. As per American Heart Association, diabetes is one of the major controllable factors that contribute to Cardiac problems. So checking for diabetes is a surefire way to keep Cardiac problems away.
Remember, Obesity is like a foundry from which gushes forth many a disease. Whether it’s bad posture, or life-threatening cardiac conditions, it all affects the quality of life. To lead a healthy and happy life shed weight by eating right and exercising regularly.
Other associated conditions:
Obesity increases the risk for several health conditions like Hypertension and Diabetes as mentioned above. Apart from those, being obese puts one at risk of:
- Cardiovascular diseases like Heart Attack and Stroke
- Some Cancers
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Gall Bladder abnormality like Gall stones
- Fatty Liver disease
- Osteoarthritis
Management:
- Restrict high-calorie foods like biscuits, sweets, ice creams, canned juices, soda and alcohol
- Include low-calorie high fiber foods like vegetables and fruits in the daily diet
- Exercise 30-40 minutes per day if health condition permits
- Check for co-existing Hormonal disorders, Hypertension and Sleep Apnea
- Therapeutic options like Bariatric Surgery and weight loss medications are prescribed in select patients if needed.
If your BMI [weight in kg/(height in meter)2] is more than 25, get yourself screened with the doctor.
Dr. Karthik S M, Consultant – General Medicine, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HSR Layout, Bangalore
