The health risks of being overweight or obese are certainly well documented. Being overweight can increase your risks for heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and several other long-term medical conditions that can have deadly consequences.
But the inherent risks that accompany a weight problem aren’t just limited to your heart, gut, and other more obvious parts of the body. In fact, excess weight can cause many issues that go miles beyond the obvious, which can affect your lifestyle from the inside out.
The good news is that if you have struggled with weight gain, you are not alone, and there are solutions! Many people get frustrated simply because despite trying countless diets and lifestyle changes, the weight stays put or returns once the diet has ended. At the Lamkin Clinic, we have the tools available to identify any underlying causes that may be hindering your weight loss efforts before they even start (like thyroid disease or low muscle mass). We’ll use these resources to identify the best, personalized path forward for you to help reduce your body weight.
In the meantime, if you need a little inspiration to seek expert help in identifying an effective medical weight loss plan, consider these surprising health risks that accompany being overweight. It’s good to note that these health risks will naturally go down once you have gotten the weight problem under control.
A Less-Effective Immune System
Being overweight can weaken your immune system and your ability to fight off viruses and infections. This means that it is far easier to catch colds, flu, and other illnesses that may be floating around. It is also harder to fight off these ailments once they have been contracted.
This link was explored in-depth in a recent study at Boston University, which infected obese and overweight mice with the bacteria that cause gum disease. The researchers found that compared to their normal-weight counterparts, the overweight mice had a 40% higher increase of tooth decay and bone loss after being infected. It also had more visible bacteria, indicating an inability for the body to mount a proper immune attack on bugs and infections.
A Higher Risk of Depression
There are a number of reasons why obesity and mood disorders, such as depression, are inherently linked. For one thing, the two conditions can cause a dangerous cycle that can be hard to escape. Key symptoms of depression are physical inactivity and a lack of exercise, as well as an increase in appetite and binge-eating. This, in turn, can lead to more weight gain. There are genetic factors at play, too. Researchers have discovered that a large percentage of individuals who are inherently at risk for being overweight are also at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
A recent study found that individuals who are overweight have a 20% higher risk of depression. That number is much higher for specific demographics, such as women.
Problems with Your Sleep
Weight can play a significant role in how well you sleep. Especially when it comes to sleeping disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA.) Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when an individual’s airways are narrowed, making it harder to breathe through the night. As a result, the brain will essentially “wake up” multiple times in the night when it registers that your body is having difficulty breathing. This results in a significant lack of sleep for days, weeks, and even months or years.
Extra weight around the neck and throat muscles will also naturally put more pressure on the airways. This increases the risk for obstructive sleep apnea. As such, you’ll feel more tired, groggy, and exhausted throughout the day. Which, in turn, can reduce activity levels and make it more challenging to lose weight in the long run.
Potential for Pregnancy Issues for Overweight Mothers
Being overweight is also connected to a long list of potential pregnancy issues for women. Here are just a few:
- Infertility
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia
- Dangerously high blood pressure
The above list can affect the health of both the mother and child. Overweight women also have a higher risk of requiring a C-section, and also have a higher risk of premature birth.
Increased Risk for Different Kinds of Cancer
The links between being overweight and having certain types of cancer can be fuzzy. Simply because there are so many different types of cancer. However, multiple studies have shown that obesity can increase your risk of a wide variety of concerns. Which include cancer of the:
- Breast
- Colon
- Gallbladder
- Pancreatic
- Kidney
- Prostate
Women also have a higher risk of health problems, as they are also more susceptible to contracting cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, and ovaries.
There Are Smart Options If You Are Overweight!
Remember that all of the above health risks of being overweight can be mitigated when you reduce body fat. There are plenty of smart and successful options for medical weight loss plans waiting for you at the Lamkin Clinic. From DEXA Body Composition scans that will measure fat and muscle and will provide a concrete blueprint of where excess fat storage is located. To nutritional services that will outline everything, you need to know about healthy eating. Lamkin Clinic specializes in getting patients’ weight under control.
We have years of experience helping our patients lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. In our experience, we have found that weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. This is why we use both personal consultations and intricate testing to determine what works best for you. This will pinpoint any challenges that might hinder your weight loss plans before you even begin.
Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation and to reduce your health risks for the above issues and more. With help from a professional and knowledgeable team, you’ll enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle. Which will ensure you stay healthy and fit for years to come.