Excess weight has always prompted people to complexes about their appearance. It is known that the psychological aspect of this problem affects women especially. In addition, overweight is often the subject of ridicule from peers in children's groups. It is worth remembering that obesity is not just one of the constitutional features, but rather a serious problem. Firstly, it affects the psycho-emotional state of a person. But this is not the worst. After all, there are more serious consequences of obesity. These include severe diseases of the heart, liver and other organs.
"Obesity" from a medical point of view
Overweight is quite common. Many people are predisposed to obesity. Others “gain” extra pounds during their lifetime. Often this is facilitated by endocrine pathologies, poor nutrition, a passive lifestyle, etc. It is worthwhile to understand that obesity is a disease that requires medical attention. Some overweight people do not want to acknowledge this problem, citing the fact that they are happy with their body. Indeed, not everyone suffers from an emotional background. Nevertheless, even if a person feels comfortable, it is necessary to get rid of excess weight. After all, the negative effects of obesity are the scourge of most patients. From a medical point of view, excess weight is considered to be an increase in body mass index (BMI). This indicator is calculated by a special formula: weight / height (meters 2 ). The normal BMI is 18-25 kg / m 2 . If this indicator is 25-30, then doctors pay the patient's attention to overweight. With a BMI of more than 30 kg / m 2 , a diagnosis of obesity is made. Depending on the body mass index, the severity of the pathology is distinguished. When identifying this disease, it is necessary to find out the causes, consequences of obesity, to assess the patient's awareness of the severity of such a diagnosis. The correct presentation of the problem will help to configure a person to fight overweight.
The defeat of the internal organs in obesity
The effects of obesity on the part of physical health are damage to internal organs. Almost all functional systems suffer from excess weight. Obesity is especially harmful to the heart and liver. With a long-existing pathology, organ dystrophy occurs, as a result of which they cease to function normally. In addition, overweight can cause diseases of the osteoarticular system. With a BMI of more than 40 kg / m 2, it is difficult for a person to perform not only any physical activity, but also everyday movements. Walking even for short distances leads to shortness of breath and increased heart rate. The effects of obesity in women are also a disorder of reproductive function. Often overweight patients complain of menstrual irregularities, infertility. Also, the disease can contribute to the formation of gallstones, the development of pancreatitis, osteoarthritis.
Obesity of the liver: the consequences of pathology
One of the serious consequences of obesity is liver dystrophy (steatohepatosis). This disease leads to a gradual disruption of the functioning of the body. Despite the fact that the pathology is quite serious, it rarely has clinical manifestations. Steatohepatosis is a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by adipose tissue. As a result, the organ grows in size, its consistency becomes flabby. The affected liver is not able to neutralize toxic substances entering the body. In addition, it does not perform other functions. These include: the formation of blood components, bile. As a result, the process of digestion is disrupted, hormonal changes occur, etc. Chronic liver failure is gradually developing.
Obesity: Psychological Consequences
Excess weight is considered not only a physical, but also a psychological problem. Mostly due to obesity, women are complexed. Some of them begin to be shy of their own body, as a result there are problems in their personal lives and behavior. Due to the developed complexes, patients become suspicious, self-esteem suffers. The consequences of obesity are believed to be apathy and depression. Similar problems can occur in both women and men.
The psychological effects of obesity affect children in most cases. Excess weight becomes the cause of ridicule from others, as a result of which the emotional state of the child worsens. As a result, low self-esteem, self-doubt, depression, psychopathy are formed. Because of the desire to lose weight, adolescents are taking extreme measures that can only aggravate the situation (the development of anorexia).
Visceral obesity: the effects of the disease
In most cases, middle-aged people have visceral obesity. It is characterized by an increase in the upper half of the body. Fatty tissue is especially pronounced in the abdomen, arms, face. With a high BMI and waist circumference of more than 90 cm, a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made. This condition is not considered an independent disease. Nevertheless, it is a risk factor that provokes severe cardiovascular and endocrine pathologies. Metabolic syndrome leads to the development of the following diseases:
- Angina pectoris. This pathology is characterized by ischemic changes in the myocardium. If untreated, it can lead to heart attack and heart failure.
- Atherosclerosis is a pathology in which fatty plaques accumulate on the inner walls of blood vessels. It leads to blockage of arteries, as a result of which ischemia of organs develops.
- Type 2 diabetes. It occurs with an increase in blood glucose in people over 40 years old. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates the course of vascular pathologies, leads to progressive visual impairment, nephro- and neuropathies.
- Arterial hypertension. Despite the fact that the increase in blood pressure is not associated with obesity, the risk of developing this pathology in people with overweight increases by more than 2 times.
Often, a combination of these pathologies is observed in patients. It is worth noting that these diseases are one of the main causes of mortality.
Severe complications of obesity
The severe consequences of obesity are complications of these diseases that can lead to disability and death. In addition to liver failure, the following conditions can be attributed to them:
- Myocardial infarction. It is characterized by sudden acute ischemia and necrosis of the heart muscle. It develops against the background of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries and unstable angina.
- Acute ischemic cerebrovascular accident. It occurs due to blockage of blood vessels by atherosclerotic plaques and thrombus.
- Acute heart failure. This group of pathologies includes pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema. In most cases, these conditions are fatal.
- Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. It is the cause of the development of gangrene.
These conditions are not directly related to obesity. However, with overweight, the risk of their development increases.
Obesity in children: causes and consequences
Etiological factors in the development of obesity in children include malnutrition, hormonal disorders (increased production of the hormone of hunger - leptin), endocrine diseases, and a genetic predisposition to overweight. The sooner you find out the cause of the pathology, the lower the likelihood of complications. The effects of childhood obesity are the same as in adults. But, given the early onset of the disease, impaired functioning of the internal organs can appear faster.
Prevention of the effects of obesity in adults and children
The main preventive measure is weight loss. To this end, consultation with a dietitian and endocrinologist is necessary. Excess weight is recommended to reduce gradually. It is important to reduce the intake of fats and carbohydrates. In order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, special drugs are prescribed - statins and fibrates.