Medical articles
10 of the most prominent harms of obesity to the body and how to prevent it
Medical articles
Reviewed by: Dr. Naji Al-Fulaiti, Consultant in General and Obesity Surgery

The problem of obesity has become one of the major health challenges facing society in the modern era. The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in recent years, as it has become more than just an aesthetic problem. There are many serious effects of obesity on the public health of the individual. Excess weight is one of the most important factors causing many chronic and serious diseases. What are the risks of obesity? 

What are the harms of obesity?

Having a risk factor such as obesity does not mean that you will develop the following health problems, but it increases the chances of developing one or more of them, and the following are: 10 health risks of obesity:

داء السكري من النوع الثاني

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the blood sugar level is higher than normal. Over time, diabetes can lead to other health problems, such as: heart disease, nerve damage, vision problems, stroke, and kidney disease. 

If you are obese, losing just 5 to 7% of your excess body weight and getting regular moderate exercise can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

ارتفاع ضغط الدم

Excess fatty tissue in the body requires more oxygen and nutrients;

The increase in the amount of blood circulating leads to increased pressure on the walls of the arteries. This is called high blood pressure, and over time high blood pressure can lead to damage to the heart and arteries.

أمراض القلب

Count أمراض القلب One of the most common harms of obesity is in people who are overweight. Over time, fat can accumulate in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. People with obesity also suffer from high blood pressure, low-density cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, and blood sugar, all of which contribute to heart disease.

Arteries that become narrow can lead to a heart attack, and blood clots in narrowed arteries can lead to a stroke.

السكتة الدماغية

Subscribe السكتة الدماغية Heart disease has many risk factors. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. A stroke can cause damage to brain tissue, leading to a range of disabilities, including speech and language impairment, muscle weakness, and changes in thinking skills.

Studies have shown that obesity increases the risk of stroke by 64%. 

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person can temporarily stop breathing during sleep. People who are overweight are more likely to develop sleep apnea;

أمراض الكبد

People who are obese can develop fatty liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This condition occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. Excess fat can damage the liver or cause the growth of scar tissue, which is known as cirrhosis.

Fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms, but it can eventually lead to liver failure, which is the only way to reverse it The disease or its management are losing weight, exercising, and avoiding drinking alcohol.

Gallbladder disease

المرارة Responsible for storing a substance known as bile and passing it to the small intestine during the digestion process to help digest fats. Obesity increases the risk of developing gallstones, which occur when bile accumulates and hardens in the gallbladder. Gallstones can also be painful and require surgical intervention.

Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber and healthy fats can help prevent the damage obesity can have on the gallbladder, and avoiding refined grains such as white rice, bread and pasta can also help avoid this problem. 

Book your consultation now at Obesity treatment center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Pregnancy complications

Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure, and this can increase the risk of Complications during pregnancy and childbirth، منها:

  • Gestational diabetes. 
  • تسمم الحمل. 
  • الولادة المبكرة. 
  • The need for a caesarean section. 
  • جلطات الدم. 
  • Heavier than usual bleeding after giving birth. 
  • الإجهاض. 
  • Stillbirth. 
  • Defects of the brain and spinal cord of the fetus. 

One study showed that more than 60% of women with a BMI of 40 or more when they became pregnant ended up with one of these complications, so if you are overweight or obese and are thinking about having a baby, you may want to start a weight management plan to avoid the previous health risks. In addition, one of the harmful effects of obesity for women is that it causes irregular menstruation as well. 

الاكتئاب

يعد الاكتئاب One of the psychological symptoms of obesity, as many people with obesity suffer from depression, and some studies have found a strong relationship between obesity and major depressive disorder, as people with obesity can often be exposed to discrimination due to their body size, and over time this can lead to the development of feelings of sadness or lack of self-esteem.

Some types of cancer

Obesity increases a person's risk of developing several types of cancer, including سرطان القولون And the rectum.

How do I get rid of obesity?

Losing up to 5 percent of your body weight can reduce your risk of developing many of these health conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

اتباع نظام غذائي صحي ومتوازن

No one counts أسباب السمنة Accumulating excess fat is consuming more calories than the body needs, and over time this can lead to weight gain. The effects of obesity on the bodyHere are some ways to eat healthy And obesity prevention:

  • Fill half your plate with vegetables.
  • Replace unrefined grains, such as white bread, pasta, and rice, with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.
  • Eat lean protein sources, including lean chicken, seafood, beans, and soy.
  • Prevent fried foods, fast food and sugary snacks.
  • Avoid sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and juices.
  • Avoid alcohol.

You should know that the most important aspect of a healthy diet is that a person is able to follow it consistently. Very low-calorie diets and restricted diets can help people lose weight in the short term, but the chances of sticking to them in the long term are few. 

النشاط البدني

Increasing activity levels in conjunction with dietary changes can help treat obesity and achieve a healthy weight, increase movement, and improve mood. Good ways to start being active include andEliminate the harmful effects of obesity ما يلي:

  • Light walking. 
  • السباحة. 
  • Use the stairs instead of the elevator. 
  • Get off the bus or train one stop early and walk the rest of the way. 

People who are not accustomed to exercising, or who find it difficult to exercise due to health problems or movement problems, should consult a specialist doctor about how to exercise and how to start.

Weight loss medications

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe weight-loss medications in cases where dietary changes and exercise have not led to weight loss or if a person's weight poses a significant risk to his or her health. Examples of these medications include:

  • Orlistat. 
  • Phentermine-topiramate. 
  • Liraglutide. 
  • Semaglutide.  
  • setmelanotide. 

to remember!

Surgical operations

Weight loss surgeries help a person lose weight and reduce their risk of developing the effects of obesity, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other aspects of metabolic syndrome. These surgeries include:

  1. Gastric sleeveThis surgery relies on banding the stomach to reduce its size.
  2. Gastric bypass: This procedure depends on making food bypass parts of the digestive system, specifically the first part of the middle section of the small intestine, in which the size of the stomach may also be reduced.

The goal of removing or altering part of a person's stomach or small intestine in weight loss surgery is to reduce food consumption or absorb fewer calories than before. 

ما هو الوزن الذي يعتبر سمنة؟

People with obesity have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. 

The body mass index can be calculated by dividing the weight by the square of the individual’s height in meters (kg/m2). The following categories are excluded from this equation:

  • Children under 18 years old. 
  • النساء الحوامل. 
  • Athletes. 

In conclusion, obesity is a serious health problem that has negative effects on an individual’s health. In addition to the harmful health effects of obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes, obesity also affects self-confidence and mental health. If you suffer from excess weight, you can follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly to overcome obesity and enjoy a healthier and happier life.

Sources and references

World Health Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Share the article
Read more
Symptoms of diabetes in children: urination, thirst, hunger, emaciation and serious symptoms
Reasons from daily habits to diseases: causes of high blood pressure
Is it really possible to treat cumulative diabetes permanently?
Symptoms of the seventh nerve... How to detect signs of facial paralysis and deal with them
Psychological rehabilitation services: regain your activity and normal life
Breast cancer symptoms...early signs that must be monitored for detection and treatment
Subscribe now to the mailing list
Get the latest news, articles and events on your mailing list on a weekly basis
Concerned about your health?
Follow the latest articles. This is a medical article and does not replace the need to consult a doctor. You can book with the best doctors