Obesity: Health Risks

Science of Food Nutrition and Health

Vinod Puri

(Publishers: Austin Macauley Publishers, London, 2023)

Obesity: Health Risks

In my last blog, we discussed the role of changing diet patterns in the last 50 years or so in contributing to the emergence of overweight and obese populations globally and resulting in the concomitant increase in non-communicable health disorders.

We now realise that the ultimate consequence of being overweight and obese is not only the proliferation of avoidable metabolic diseases but also leading to an increased burden on human health and the healthcare system. Overweight and obesity are the major cause of the rise in global morbidity and mortality linked to diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, and kidney disease. Let us closely examine the relationship of obesity to some of the major chronic diseases.

Obesity and Diabetes: Diabetes 2 is an insulant-resistant disease that is directly related to excess body weight, low physical activity, and poor diet. It is believed that cells in obese subjects are stressed because of excess nutrients causing the release of protein cytokines which trigger inflammation and block the signals of insulin receptors resulting in developing insulin resistance.

Obesity and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): CHD is the number one cause of death. It has been scientifically proven that obesity predisposes are associated with numerous cardiac complications such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and sudden death because of their impact on the cardiovascular system. Hypertension is the number one cause of death associated with high blood pressure causing ischemic heart disease.

Obesity and Cancer: Cancer is the second leading cause of death after CHD. Numerous studies provide convincing evidence that overweight, and obesity increase the risk of cancers such as colorectal, oesophageal, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney, breast, liver, gall bladder, prostate, and ovarian cancers.  Scientists believe that fat cells are likely to release hormones that affect cell growth, leading to cancer.

Obesity and Sleep Apnoea: Excess body fat particularly around the neck may result in inflammation and increased risk of obstruction of airways making breathing difficult and in many cases, breathing may stop for short periods. Nearly one-third of people globally are estimated to be suffering from sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is also linked with brain damage, loss of memory, and depression.

Obesity and Osteoarthritis: Overweight and obesity are also considered to be one of the risk factors for the onset of osteoarthritis. Extra weight exerts higher pressure on joints and cartilage resulting in the wearing of cartilage. It has been reported that every 4.5 kg a person carries exerts an additional 13-27 kgs of force on the knees with each step. Excessive body fat is also linked to higher inflammation which can raise the risk of osteoarthritis.

Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease: Fatty liver disease occurs with the build-up of fat in the liver. This abnormality has normally been observed in middle-aged overweight, obese, and/or diabetic people.

Obesity and Kidney Disease:  Overweight and obesity, which are key factors for high blood pressure and diabetes can further lead to chronic kidney disease compromising their function and resulting in the build-up of toxic waste in the body.

Obesity and Asthma: Asthma is generally caused by inflammation of the breathing tubes caused by allergies, smoke, pollution, exercise, etc.  Overweight and obesity can further increase the risk of breathing problems by corroborating with other inflammatory agents.

Obesity and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD):  Overweight and obesity are some of the risk factors causing heartburn and acid reflux. It is caused by stomach acids moving towards the throat.  If it becomes chronic it is called GORD and

Obesity and Gall Stones:  Overweight and obesity are also linked to the development of gall stones which when trapped in an opening duct inside the gall bladder can generate intense pain in the abdomen.

Obesity and reduced Fertility: Obesity has also been linked with reduced fertility. It has been reported that women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 27 are three times less likely to conceive than women with normal weight. 

To combat obesity majority of the countries all over the world have embarked on food guidelines developed in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) emphasizing eating fresh, seasonal, and local and also increasing the intake of plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and small portions of lean proteins and healthy plant-based fats and decrease the intake of high sugar high salt processed foods.

For more details refer to my book on Science of Food Nutrition and Health published by Austin Macauley Publishers, London.

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