Obesity is a disease that impacts more than 600 million people worldwide. It is the cause of more than 45 illnesses. Obesity refers to a condition in which a person has a BMI (body mass index) greater than 30. Higher-weight people means weight is more than their ideal weight as per their height. There are many diseases caused due to obesity.
Does obesity have a role in Type 2 Diabetes?
Approximately 90% of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) cases are attributable to excess weight. There are some clinical indicators of obesity. Excess fat tissue (adipose) deposits in the body. The levels of free fatty acids (FFA) in the blood are excessive. Muscles take up more fats and lipids and reduce the uptake of glucose. Moreover, the liver stores less glucose. Eventually, there is a high glucose content in the blood. Thus, FFA in obesity causes insulin resistance, which is the basis of diabetes.
Moreover, obesity leads to chronic inflammation in the body. This inflammation is the cause of type 2 diabetes. When insulin-producing pancreatic cells take up extra fat, toxins are produced in the cell. These toxins hinder the secretion of insulin. Added to that, they induce the death of pancreatic cells.
Is obesity a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases?
Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Waist circumference is an indicator of accumulated abdominal body fat. Studies show that a higher waist circumference causes a higher CVD risk.
Research shows that obesity causes changes in the structure and function of the heart. These changes can impact the rhythm of the heart. As a result, obesity may cause sudden heart attacks.
There is an association between atherosclerosis (plaque deposition in arteries) and obesity. Free fatty acids circulate in the blood in obesity. They start the process of inflammation. In addition, the deposited fatty tissue secretes inflammation-inducing chemicals. This inflammation throughout the body is a precursor for atherosclerosis.
Can obesity cause stroke?
Stroke is another disease caused due to obesity. Stroke refers to the condition when a part of the brain does not receive the blood supply. There may be brain damage, which may impact the mobility and speech of a person.
Obesity can increase blood pressure. Since the body size is large, the heart pumps harder so that blood reaches every cell. Additionally, excess fat in the body harms the kidneys, which regulate blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of stroke.
Is there a link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea?
In obstructive sleep apnoea, the airflow reduces or stops for some time during sleep. The restriction of the upper airway restricts the airflow. Studies show obesity relates to poor sleep quality and quantity.
People with a higher BMI have a narrowing of the upper respiratory tract due to deposits of fatty tissue. Additionally, there is a decrease in the muscle activity of the region. This results in breathlessness, or reduced breathing. There is a decrease in the amount of oxygen available to the blood vessels and body tissues. Low oxygen in the tissues can be a cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Can obesity cause osteoarthritis?
Another disease caused due to obesity is osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, joints break down over time. There is pain and stiffness in the joints. Excess fat in obesity puts more mechanical pressure on the joints. It leads to damage to tissue around the joints. It also increases the chances of horizontal fissuring at the joint.
Studies show that the prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with an increase in BMI. In addition to mechanical loading, obesity causes osteoarthritis through chronic inflammation. Thus, obesity is a disease that deteriorates health by causing further illnesses. The most important of them are diabetes, CVD, stroke, obstructive sleep apnoea, and osteoarthritis.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
