The Health Effects of Obesity
Although genetics plays a part in your risk for developing chronic illness, lifestyle, environment and behavior have a much greater effect on your health. In fact, according to functional medicine expert, Dr Catherine Waller, genetics accounts for only about 15% of your risk. The rest is almost completely under your control.
Factors like your diet, exercise habits and vitamin intake will have a huge effect on your risk of developing chronic illness.
Obesity is tied to a higher risk of mortality, an association that grows stronger with age. This has been reported through multiple studies, including a 2013 analysis from Columbia University in New York. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventative deaths, contributing to approximately 300,000 deaths annually.
Research indicates that being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing certain health conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Type-2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Metabolic syndrome
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Depression
- Infertility
- Certain cancers, including colon and breast cancer
Health & Quality of Life Related to Weight
Obesity causes widespread inflammation throughout the body. This is the cause behind many chronic diseases, which makes obesity an added risk factor for many other conditions in addition to those listed above. As a result, when you lose weight, health and quality of life often improve
Those who struggle with obesity are often able to decrease their risk of chronic illness, and in some cases even improve their health by losing weight. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and using supplements can improve certain aspects of your health, while also encouraging weight loss.
The healthy habits you’ll often engage in to lose weight may also improve:
- Vitamin levels
- Blood circulation
- Stress management practices
- Mental health
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States, and as a result there is a high incidence of obesity-related illness across the country. Losing weight can improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of developing obesity related diseases.