Risks and Severity
Obesity is associated with numerous chronic conditions diseases. A healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and the regular practice of a physical activity, help to prevent weight gain and the many related complications.
Health problems linked to obesity
Obesity is associated with several chronic diseases [1] liable in the long term to lead to disability and/or premature mortality:
- type-2 diabetes [2] (profuse excessive urinesation, thirst, hunger, fatigue)
- cardiovascular disorders (high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol, risk of stroke, heart attack, infarction)
- venous disorders of the lower limbs (poor blood circulation in the legs)
- respiratory difficulties (sleep apnoea, breathlessness)
- joint problems (knees, lower back, arthritis)
- hepatic problems (liver diseases)
- hormonal disorders
- risk of certain cancers (breast, colon).
Obesity is also responsible for troubles in daily life, a feeling of exclusion, of rejection, often leading to solitude, particularly emotional.
Mortality
Obesity is considered to be a mortality risk factor, particularly because of the complications associated with it (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes etc.).
From a BMI of 25 upwards [3], the number of diseases and the risk of premature early death increases.
A loss of weight of 10% to 15% makes it possible to improve the health problems linked to obesity and overweight.