Complications of Obesity

Obesity is a global problem now because, the rate of obesity is rising in many countries. Why is obesity significant? It is associated with many diseases and health-related complications.


Psychological complications

Sometimes, obesity can be an embarrassing condition in the society and even in family. Some people think that obesity results from moral weakness or lack of personal discipline. An employment or a promotion can be rejected merely because of obesity. Some obese people do not like to go out because, they think that they cannot enjoy with others. Some people treat obese people disrespectfully. These experiences can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, or low self-confidence with time. Obesity is linked with an about 25 % rise in probabilities of anxiety and mood disorders.


Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) of hips and knees are associated with obesity. If you are obese, your excessive body weight can damage the joints and delay the repair process. Therefore, it leads to an inflammation of the particular joint as well as surrounding tissues.


Varicose veins

Varicose veins are dilated tortuous veins. Obesity causes deformed veins and weakens the valves of the veins in your lower limbs. Therefore, varicose veins result in impaired blood circulation, leading to some complications such as bleeding, inflammation of veins (Thrombophlebitis), skin changes (varicose eczema, Lipodermatosclerosis), and ulcers (wounds).


Hiatus hernia

Hiatus hernia (hiatal hernia) is the herniation (protrusion) of the stomach (upper part) into the cavity of the chest (thorax) via a tear or a weakened point on the diaphragm. If you are obese, the extra weight can increase the pressure in your abdomen, pushing the stomach towards the chest.


Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

GORD is a common condition amongst obese people because, obesity increases the pressure in the abdomen and weakens the lower-oesophageal sphincter (LOS). Therefore, the stomach acid leaks into the oesophagus causing GORD.


Gallstones

A gallstone is a concretion formed in the gallbladder simply by accretion of bile. Gallstones are common in obese individuals.


Surgical complications

Obese people are more prone to develop complications during (intra-operative) and after (post-operative) a major operation.


Back pain

Back pains and strains are commonly associated with obesity.


Accident proneness

If you are obese, you are more prone to get accidental injuries because, obesity causes impairment of natural body movements.


Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

Sleep apnoea is repeated breaks in breathing while asleep, regardless of the effort to breathe. Obesity increases the soft-tissue mass (including the tongue) around the throat (airway), causing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA increases the risk of heart attack or death by 30 %. It is a risk factor of hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and depression too. It also worsens the obesity further.


Hypertension

There is no straightforward relationship between high blood pressure and obesity. However, obesity is linked with hypertension. The rate of hypertension is about three-times higher in obese individuals than people with normal body weight. Sometimes, obesity may enhance the effects of other risk factors for hypertension.


Breathlessness

Obesity increases the pressure in the abdomen and may impair the movements of the diaphragm and chest wall. Therefore, it may limit the lung expansion, causing breathlessness. However, obesity can cause broncho-constriction, leading to a link between obesity and bronchial asthma.


Ischaemic heart disease

Ischaemic heart disease is directly associated with obesity. About five per cent of deaths from ischaemic heart disease in men and that six per cent of such deaths in women are because of obesity. This relationship is more obvious when the fat  is concentrated mainly in your abdomen (central obesity). Central obesity can be identified by a high waist/hip ratio.


Stroke

Obesity increases the risk of diabetes mellitus, left ventricular hypertrophy, obstructive sleep apnoea, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. Those are crucial risk factors for stroke.


Diabetes Mellitus

About 80-90 % of people with type ll diabetes mellitus are obese. Extra body weight causes additional stress on the body in obese individuals. It activates some stress hormones and raises the blood-sugar level. Obesity also inhibits the action of insulin hormone (insulin resistance), increasing blood glucose.


Hyperlipidaemia

Obesity is associated with raised triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL, and decreased HDL levels. This combination increases the risk of ischaemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and stroke.


Menstrual abnormalities

Female hormone imbalances are linked with obesity. Obese females can have anovulatory and irregular cycles, which affects fertility. Childhood obesity is also linked with early onset puberty, polycytic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and menstrual irregularities during the child-bearing age.


Increased morbidity and mortality

Obese individuals have a higher risk of early death, mainly from ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. The higher the obesity, the greater the morbidity and death rates.


Increased cancer risk

Obesity is linked with increased risk of some cancers, which have been mentioned below.
E.g.

• Thyroid
• Breast (following menopause)
• Oesophagus (gullet)
• Colon and rectum
• Gallbladder
• Kidney
• Pancreas
• Endometrium

Heart failure

Obesity is linked with arrhythmias, left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction. These changes may cause sudden cardiac death. Obesity is also associated with right heart failure. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome and/or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can lead to progressive right heart failure in obese individuals.



Related Links:

What Is Obesity?
Obesity and Dietary Control
Tips for Diet in Obesity
Pharmacological Management of Obesity 
Medications for Obesity
Weight-loss Surgery for Obesity
Obesity in Children