7 main pathologies associated with obesity
Article reviewed by Carla Machado, Nutritionist (Portuguese Order of Nutritionists, professional license number nº0990N)
There are many health problems and pathologies associated with obesity. Find out which are the main pathologies associated with this condition, which affects a large part of the population, and which are the main risks.
Obesity is a pathology characterized by overweight due to a high accumulation of fat mass, with high health risks. The. World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity when the BMI (body mass index) is above 30kg/m2. In a country where more than metade da população tem excesso de peso e há perto de um milhão de pessoas obesas, é cada vez mais importante consciencializar sobre as consequências da obesidade para a saúde.
The WHO classifies obesity and overweight as having an epidemic dimension in the countries of the European region., reaching 23.3% of the population in Europe, the second highest rate in the world after the Americas. In Portugal, according to the report of the Health at a Glance, from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2019, about 67.6% of the Portuguese population over 15 years old was overweight or obese.
This growing increase is accompanied by a consequent emergence of various pathologies associated with obesity that cause functional disability, reduced quality of life and life expectancy and increased mortality.
In this article, we introduce you to the diseases related to obesity.
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by increased blood glucose, i.e., blood glucose levels. and is one of the main pathologies associated with obesity. In this case, we speak of type II diabetes, the most frequent type and which begins to appear at increasingly younger ages. This type of diabetes is the result of poor eating habits, such as excessive consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, which generate insufficient insulin production. The lack of insulin, or the difficulty in its action, results in an accumulation of glucose in the blood, which is called hyperglycemia.
The treatment is done with the daily application of insulin and the use of other medications, as indicated by the doctor. In addition, practices such as healthy eating or physical exercise are essential.
2. Hypertension
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.. The hypertension occurs when there is an increase in pressure in blood vessels due to high consumption of foods containing sodium and saturated fats, as well as sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular physical activity. Hypertension is considered a silent disease, as the symptoms do not always appear, which delays the diagnosis. Like high cholesterol, high blood pressure – or hypertension -, can cause various cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks or even strokes.
After the diagnosis, it is possible to treat it with medication – upon medical indication – and the adoption of healthy habits, with dietary reeducation and physical exercise. It is also indicated to monitor the pressure through appropriate devices, which can be done in pharmacies or even at home.
3. Sleep Apnea
Obesity is the main risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). This is a serious problem, which causes involuntary stops of breathing during sleep. Due to the continuous interruption of sleep, this condition disrupts the daily routine, causing excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired judgment and judgment. This happens due to the intermittent collapses that the upper respiratory tract suffers during the night, often lasting longer than 10 seconds, which cause mini-awakenings and unbalance the levels of oxygen in the blood.
4. Asthma
Still within the respiratory pathologies associated with obesity or overweight, in addition to sleep apnea, asthma it can also arise as a consequence of obesity. This is due to the shrinking of the bronchioles, which causes difficulty in breathing. The prevalence of asthma has been increasing and the WHO estimates that the disease currently affects 200 million adults and children worldwide.
The treatment must be done with the improvement of the quality of life and adoption of healthy habits. However, the doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, known as “asthma firecrackers”.
5. Cholesterol
A poor diet, obesity and sedentary lifestyle increase total cholesterol levels, which can lead to clogging of veins and arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Due to the increase in LDL (known as “bad cholesterol”) there is greater deposition of fat in blood vessels, which results in changes in blood flow and, consequently, in heart activity.
In most cases, high cholesterol can be reduced by eating a low-fat diet and exercising. In some cases, medication is helpful in lowering cholesterol. Increased cholesterol and body fat can also lead to the development of gallbladder stones, which require surgery as the only treatment.
6. Dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia is a disease that arises due to changes and abnormalities in the levels of lipids in the blood. It usually appears as a result of increased total cholesterol and triglycerides.
To treat this disease, it is necessary to adopt a low-fat diet and include physical exercise in the daily routine. In more serious cases, it is still necessary to adopt appropriate medication, as long as it is medically indicated.
7. Cancer
Several studies demonstrate an increased incidence of cancer in overweight or obese patients, particularly hormone-sensitive cancers and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. The increased incidence of hormone-sensitive cancers appears to be related to an abdominal distribution of fat (abdominal obesity). It is not exactly known why adipose tissue favors the development of tumors, but according to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AACR), obesity is an important risk factor, especially in endometrial, esophageal and pancreatic cancers .
The pathologies associated with obesity can be prevented by fighting this disease. Preventing and treating obesity is essential to maintain quality of life and avoid the various health problems described above, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to adopt a healthy and balanced diet, as well as the practice of physical exercise regularly, avoiding sedentary lifestyle.
Sources:
SNS – Sistema Nacional de Saúde: «Doenças crónicas – obesidade»
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: «Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity»
WebMD: «Health Risks Linked to Obesity»
Hospital Lusíadas: 6 doenças associadas à obesidade, Dr. Ângelo Ferreira
Hospital CUF: «Consequências da Obesidade para a sua saúde», Dr. Carlos Vaz
ABESO – Associação Brasileira para o Estudo da Obesidade e da Síndrome Metabólica: «Doenças Desencadeadas ou Agravadas pela Obesidade»
Allianz Trade: «Obesity: Costly epidemic»
«Panorama da obesidade em Portugal», José Luís Medina, Professor Catedrático na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto; Mariana P. Monteiro, Professora Associada no Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas; Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto; Marta Alves, Assistente do Hospital de S. Marcos; Selma Souto, Docente voluntária da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto.
OMS – Organização Mundial de Saúde: «WHO EUROPEAN REGIONAL OBESITY REPORT 2022»
