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OBESITY AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISKS

  
The increased mortality associated with results primarily from increased risks for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and, possibly, some types of cancer.

Cardiovascular system : Increased risk of sudden death, Cardiac Arrhythmias, increased risk of atherosclerosis, abnormal lipid profile with decreased levels of high density lipoproteins, and increased levels of low density lipoproteins.Prevelence of hypertension is also increased.
A waist circumference above 100 cm in men and above 90 cm in women is associated with increased levels of triglyceride and reduced levels of HDL cholesterol.

Diabetes Mellitus : Type 2 diabetes mellitus [non-insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)] is almost nonexistent in individuals with a BMI below 22.

Cancer : Obese men - higher incidence of cancer of prostate, colon and rectum.
Obese women - higher incidence of Uterus, Overies and Gal bladder cancers.

24% of all cancers are linked to obesity

Gall Bladder Disease : Gall Bladder disease with formation of cholesterol stones also increases with obesity.

Respiratory system : Sleep apnoea occurs with excessive obesity.

Joints : Ostheoarthritis and gout is associated with obesity.

Skin Problems : Acanthosis nigricans, manifested by darkening of the skinfolds on the neck, elbows, and dorsal interphalangeal spaces. Fungal and other skin infections in the skin folds.

  
Being overweight is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

Fifty-five percent of the adult American population is overweight. The average young adult is 10 pounds heavier than just a decade ago
Endocrine system : Insulin resistance leading to hyperinsulinemia is a uniform feature and is directly related to the degree of obesity. Testosterone levels may be reduced in extreme obesity in men. Obesity leads to an earlier onset of menarche, and greater frequency of irregular and anovulatory cycles, and to earlier menopause.
 
 

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