Why Lose Weight?
Obesity causes shorter life expectancy and reduced quality of life. It is associated with a number of serious medical, physiological, psychological and social problems, as listed below.
The medical conditions that are caused by obesity are:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Snoring and obstruction to breathing when sleeping (Obstructive sleep apnoea)
- Heartburn (“Reflux” disease)
- Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis
- Gallstone disease
- High cholesterol level
- Chronic kidney disease
- Joint problems (Osteoarthritis)
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Lost of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
- Blood clots in deep leg veins and in lungs
- High pressures in brain fluid
- Depression
- Dementia
There are also a number of cancers that are found to be strongly associated with obesity such as:
- Endometrial
- Breast
- Cervical
- Colon
- Melanoma
- Oesophagus
- Pancreas
- Kidney
- Liver
- Prostate
- Thyroid
Physiological consequences of obesity are:
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Feeling tired more quickly
- Difficulty in performing normal tasks, as movement becomes more difficult
Psychological and social consequences of obesity are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Negative self-image
- Social discrimination and isolation