You would be surprised at how many people actually don ’ t think they are putting themselves at risk by carrying extra pounds. However the stark truth is that being obese can reduce your life expectancy by as much as 20 years. Fortunately losing even a small amount of weight can reduce and even reverse the risks.
If this is not incentive enough maybe the following could be just what you need to prove that it is time to tackle any excess weight that you might be carrying.
Reduce the risks of cancer
Overweight women stand four times more chance of developing endometrial cancer and it is probably for the same reason that they become far more susceptible to cancer that affects their breasts. This is due to body fat producing the hormone estrogen which has been linked to both forms of the disease. Leptin which is a hormone that is associated with weight gain is also said to enhance production of normal and cancerous breast cells.
Sharpen your mind
Obese people in particular those that have large stomachs in mid life are over 250% more likely to develop dementia. The larger the tummy the greater risk for the individual, this might be because of the hormones and inflammatory indicators which the tummy fat produces.
Faster recovery from cancer
Obese women have the highest risk rate of complications following breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. They also seem less likely than women of a healthy weight to gain the full benefits from pre-surgery chemotherapy this could be because of the doctors being worried about toxicity and therefore giving larger women smaller doses of the medications that they really need .
Safer heart
The larger you are the more likelihood there is of you suffering a heart attack early on in your life and for those that are obese this can be as much as 12 years sooner. Obese people are also far more likely to have diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
What depression?
There is a link between obesity and depression and according to a recent study that looked at over 4,500 women aged 40 – 65. The findings showed that over 6% of the women whose BMI was normal were suffering with depression, yet those with a BMI of 35 and above equated to a massive 25% that were suffering from depression.
In a further study researchers proved that there was a further 25% risk increase of depression in obese women, this was due not only to the stigma that goes with being overweight but also the limited physical activity that they found possible.
Workouts are easier and a lot more fun
Obese women suffer with more aches and pains than those of a normal weight and also worry more about injury or really do feel just too overweight to workout. The only way to change this is to take things slowly and begin increasing activity levels at every chance without overdoing things.
Better Medical care
There are a number of doctors that associate obesity with unpleasant character traits such as hostility, poor hygiene and dishonesty. The result of which means that doctors spend less time with overweight patients and will even avoid preventative examinations and screenings.
Lowered risk of incontinence
Women that are obese are twice more likely to suffer with a pelvic floor disorder than those women of a normal weight. The commonest problem is that of urinary incontinence.
Protect your vital organs
Research undertaken in Sweden has proved that being overweight triples the risk of chronic renal failure, and gradual irreversible loss of kidney functions. It is suggested that at least 12 % of chronic renal failure in women is due to their obesity. Not only this, a high BMI increases the risks of disease of the gallbladder too.
Save money
Those who are overweight and suffer from diabetes are likely to have to pay more for their healthcare. The total amount spent on type 2 diabetes medication has doubled in the period of 2001 – 2007.
Breathe easy
The risk of asthma is also linked to obesity, with research proving that medication used to control wheezing are 40% less effective in overweight patients that when used for the same treatment by those of a normal weight.
Joints no longer have to take the strain
Cases of arthritis linked with obesity were recorded as 3% in 1971 and by 2002 have risen by another 5% to a total of 8%.
These are just a few of the reasons to tackle obesity, but should provide you with enough food for thought to really make the effort and get healthier and active sooner rather than leaving it too late.
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