6 Health Risk Factors of Having High Body Fat

Obesity is an epidemic that is becoming increasingly prevalent in our nation as our daily lives revolve around sedentary behaviors. Defined as a person’s body mass index being 30 or greater, obesity simply results from taking in more calories than are burned by exercise and normal daily activities. Being overweight or obese is much more than just a cosmetic issue – having a high body fat percentage or high BMI is directly correlated to your health and places you at risk for disease and a shortened life expectancy. Below is a list of diseases associated with having high body fat.

1. Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an extremely common disease and is directly linked to obesity and congestive heart failure. Coronary heart disease is where a waxy plaque substance builds up inside the coronary arteries. This plaque buildup causes atherosclerosis and eventually can block the arteries ability to supply oxygen rich blood to the heart.

2. Stroke

Being obese or even just overweight puts an individual at significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke, with a distinct possibility of permanent disability or death. Because of the increased black buildup, the blood vessels supplying oxygen to the brain can become blocked causing permanent brain damage.

3. Type II Diabetes

Type II Diabetes is an illness characterized by high glucose levels due to the body’s inability to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. Individuals who are overweight or obese have a decreased ability to use insulin to properly control blood sugar levels which places them at a high risk for developing diabetes.

4. Cancer

Being overweight or obese raises your risk for many types of cancer including colon, breast, pancreas, and kidney cancer. A study conducted in 2007 estimated that in the United States, approximately 34,000 new cases of cancer in men and 50,500 in women were due to obesity.

5. Sleep Apnea

The most common form of sleep apnea in adults is due to obesity. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person intermittently stops breathing when sleeping throughout the night. Increased fat deposits around the neck have been shown to play a role in narrowing the airway which makes breathing difficult. If untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

6. Osteoarthritis

Being heavier increases the weight bearing load placed on the joints such as the hips and knees. Studies have identified that his increase in stress could possibly hasten the breakdown of important soft tissue, cartilage, and bone density.

Fortunately, obesity can be self-treated and risk factors eliminated or significantly reduced just by losing a nominal amount of weight. Weight loss must be a complete lifestyle change and individuals who wish to alleviate the health problems associated with obesity must adopt a healthier lifestyle with an emphasis on adherence to a balanced nutritional program as well as exercise on a daily basis.