Columnist Nozaina: According to the survey, more than half of the world will be obese by 2035. This year the World Obesity Federation predicts that more than 4 billion people or 51% of the world will be obese within the next twelve years. The rate of obesity is rising quickly, particularly among lower-income countries and children. The rate of obesity is expected to increase in almost all countries in the coming years. Being obese increases the risk of numerous health issues, specifically if you carry extra fat around your waist. Healthy body weight prevents these problems, makes them go away, or stops them from getting worse.

Hypertension:

Hypertension is also called high blood pressure. It is a condition in which blood flows through blood vessels with a greater force than normal. Large body size increases the blood pressure because the heart has to pump harder to supply the blood to all the cells of the body. Kidneys help to regulate blood pressure. Excess body fat damages the kidney. Hypertension strains the heart, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, and death. Enough weight loss may lower high blood pressure and prevent related health issues.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the blood sugar level is too high. Nine out of ten people with type 2 diabetes are obese. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to eye problems, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease, nerve damage, and other health issues. If you are at risk of type 2 diabetes, you may delay or prevent diabetes by reducing 5-7% of your starting weight.

Heart Disease:

The term heart disease is used to describe numerous heart problems that affect the heart, such as angina, heart attack, heart failure, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Being obese increases the risk of developing conditions that can cause heart issues such as high blood glucose, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. Excess body weight puts a burden on the heart. The heart has to work harder to send blood to all the cells in the body. Adequate weight loss may reduce these risk factors for heart disease.

Stroke:

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when a part of your brain does not receive enough blood flow. This happens when blood vessels are blocked or bleeding in the brain. Without a steady blood supply, brain cells in that area start to die due to lack of oxygen. Being obese increases blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Weight loss helps to lower blood pressure and other risk factors for stroke, including high blood cholesterol and high blood glucose.

Fatty Liver Diseases:

Fatty liver diseases develop when the level of fat builds up in the liver. It can lead to severe liver damage cirrhosis or liver failure. These diseases include NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) and NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Obese people are mostly affected by NASH and NAFLD. People who have insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and unhealthy levels of fat in the blood may also suffer from NAFLD and NASH. Losing at least 3% to 5% of body weight may reduce fat in the liver.

Metabolic Syndrome:

A group of conditions that increase the risk for stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.You must have at least three of the below-mentioned conditions to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

*Hypertension

*Large waist size

*High level of glucose in the blood

*High level of triglyceride in the blood

*Low level of HDL (Good Cholesterol) in the blood

Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with less physical activity and obesity. Healthy lifestyle changes help to control weight and may help to reduce and prevent metabolic syndrome.

Cancer:

Cancer is a group of associated diseases. In cancer body cells start to grow out of control or abnormally. Sometimes cancer cells spread to other body parts. Obesity increases the risk of developing various kinds of cancer. Obese men are at great risk for developing rectum, prostate, and colon cancer. Cancers of the inner lining of the uterus, gall bladder, and breast are common among obese women. The risk of various types of cancer such as kidney, colon, breast, and ovarian cancer is lower in those adults who gain less weight as they get older.

Mental Health Problems:

Being obese may also affect mental health and also increase the risk of developing depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, body image problems, and long-term stress. Studies reveal that obese people face weight-related bias at work and school, which may affect their quality of life. Weight loss improves the symptoms of depression, and improves self-esteem and body image.

Breathing Problems:

Excess weight can affect how well your lungs work and increase the risk of breathing problems. Sleep apnea can happen while you are sleeping. In sleep apnea, upper airways are blocked causing irregular breathing or even stopping breathing for a short period. Untreated sleep apnea may increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. In adults, obesity is the common cause of sleep apnea. More fat stored around the neck makes the airways smaller. A small airway may cause snoring or make breathing difficult. Weight loss helps to reduce sleep apnea or make it go away.

Asthma is a long-term chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air out and into the lungs. Asthma makes airways narrow and inflamed. You may cough, wheeze, or feel tightness in your chest. Obesity increases the risk of asthma. Weight loss helps to manage asthma symptoms. 

Osteoarthritis:

A common long-lasting health issue that causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased motion in joints. Obesity is the leading risk factor for osteoarthritis in knee, ankle, and hip. Obesity may increase the risk of osteoarthritis by putting extra pressure on your cartilage and joints. Excess body fat increases the level of those substances in the blood that cause inflammation. Inflamed joints may increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Weight loss may reduce stress on the lower back, and knee, hip, and lessen inflammation in the body.