Lung problems: Excess fat, especially on the trunk, exerts pressure on the diaphragm and interferes with normal breathing. It is not unusual for people who are overweight to suffer from shortness of breath. Not only do they have problems getting enough oxygen, they also have problems exhaling carbon dioxide. This can make them feel sleepy even when they are getting plenty of sleep.
Obese people who often feel sleepy and short of breath find it very difficult to be physically active - a vicious circle.
Gall bladder disease: The gall bladder is a small, saclike organ that stores gall, which is manufactured by the liver and is used to break down food molecules. It can become clogged with gallstones, which consist mainly of cholesterol. Pain, inflammation, and infection frequently result. Sometimes the infection spreads, causing serious complications.
People who are overweight or have a high-fat diet are at greatest risk of developing gallstones and gall bladder disease.
Joint diseases: Osteoarthritis and gout are two painful and debilitating joint disorders that are often related to overweight. Osteoarthritis is common in women over 60, though men suffer from it as well. It is a "wear-and-tear" condition that results when the cartilage that protects the ends of joints deteriorates. The joints most commonly affected are the hips and knees, which bear most of our weight. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that people who bear a lot of weight tend to suffer more often, earlier in life, and more severely from arthritis.
If arthritis is more common in women, men are the ones who suffer more often from gout. This painful inflammation of the joints often strikes the big toe. It is associated with overweight and excessive alcohol use. Kidney complications are sometimes seen in people who have both gout and diabetes.
Although these joint diseases can be treated with drugs that relieve pain and inflammation and help avoid further destruction of bone and tissue, lifestyle changes may also help. Weight loss is strongly recommended for overweight joint-disease patients.
The health benefits of weight loss
After all this gloom and doom, you're probably ready for some good news. If being overweight is bad for your health (and it is), then losing weight is the best cure.
According to the experts, a weight loss of as little as 5 to 10 percent reduces an obese adult's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, i and arthritis. Overweight people already suffering from these conditions usually improve when they lose weight. Losing weight also reduces the incidence of a whole host of heart and lung disorders.
If you're wondering why you should lose weight, I can't think of a better answer.
