Obesity: A Matter of Life and Death
Posted: Aug 10 in Weight Loss Blog by Staff
There are many known risks associated with obesity. Heart disease, type-2 diabetes, increased risk of depression and mood disorders—all of these are realities for the millions of people in the United States who are struggling with excess body weight. But there is one segment of the population who may be at an even increased risk associated with obesity: men.
According to a growing body of research, men who struggle with obesity for an extended period of time aren’t just more likely to experience chronic health disturbances like heart disease or diabetes, but are actually more likely to experience premature death. This means that for men, finally losing weight could be a matter of life and death.
The Problem with Obesity
Obesity puts a tax on the body that is unlike any other environmental or preventative health concern, perhaps second only to tobacco in the total negative impact that it has on your overall health and wellbeing.
The risks of obesity are real for anyone, men and women alike. But it is becoming clear that men appear to be more prone to experiencing the most severe of these health complications. In recent decades, obesity has become one of the leading causes of preventative death in the United States and throughout Western Europe.
Obesity increases your risk of experiencing health problems like:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Certain cancers
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
For many people who struggle with obesity, these health conditions develop in unison, meaning that you very well may experience several of these health conditions that will only compound the overall impact that obesity has on your health. Researchers have found that for men who are significantly overweight, or who struggle with obesity long-term, the chances of experiencing premature death as a result of obesity increases by as much as 10 percent.
Unlike many causes of chronic disease, the thing that makes obesity so unique is that it is largely preventable. Working with a weight loss doctor and taking advantage of resources like weight loss surgery can be life altering for those who struggle with excess body weight. Most obesity-related diseases, including heart disease and type-2 diabetes, are found to drastically improve following weight loss.
Obesity is much more than an aesthetic concern, it is a matter of life and death for many people. Don’t let obesity determine the shape of your life. Weight loss surgery can help you regain control and improve your health.