Obesity Can Lead To Arthritis, Cancer, And Even Death
Why do people always have to talk about obesity and diabetes as Latino issues? Surely, Latinos get other diseases worth discussing? Yes, this true, there are plenty of diseases to go around. So let me use this article to explain the reason behind my infatuation with obesity and diabetes.
Obesity and diabetes have a codependent relationship. Of the people diagnosed with type II diabetes, about 80%to 90% are also diagnosed as obese.
This fact provides an interesting clue to the link between diabetes and obesity. Obesity is an epidemic that has infected American society and if we don’t do something about it now (like, now), it will surpass cancer as a leading cause of death in this country. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) says that, “Diabetes and obesity are the biggest public health challenge of the 21st century.” The point is, it doesn’t have to be this way — we ultimately choose to be obese.
The primary concern of overweight and obesity is one of health and not appearance.
An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity. Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64 years. Individuals who are obese according the BMI, greater than 30, have a 50% to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes compared to individuals with a healthy weight.
There are consequences for your health as a result of obesity beyond diabetes:
- Premature death
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Breathing problems
- Arthritis
- Reproductive problems
Size matters!
Weight loss, as modest as 5% to 15% of total body weight in a person who is overweight or obese, reduces the risk factors for some diseases, particularly diabetes and heart disease. Weight loss can result in lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and improved cholesterol levels.
A person with a BMI above the healthy weight range may benefit from weight loss, especially if he or she has other health risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, and a personal and/or family history of heart disease.
I’ve spent a lot of time and energy on obesity because it’s a preventable chronic disease. Size matters when it comes to your health. So eat right and exercise daily so you can enjoy your life!
Of the people diagnosed with type II diabetes, about 80% to 90% percent are also diagnosed as obese. This fact provides an interesting clue to the link between diabetes and obesity.
[Photo By Puukibeach]Jeff Kreisberg is a patient advocate, educator, scientist author of the book “Taking Control of Your Healthcare,” and, until his retirement, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Jeff also blogs regularly on health issues on his website, Taking Control of Your Healthcare. Follow him on Twitter: @kreisberg.
References:
http://www.vegsource.com/news/2011/03/studies-overweight-is-major-risk-factor-for-cancer.html
