Just because you feel relatively well now, the consequences of being over-weight and obese can be very serious. The effects can be split into three groups: physical, psychological and social.
The main physical effects of obesity are:
The psychological effects:
The social effects:
Being overweight can also put extra pressure on joints and limbs, making activity quite difficult and sometimes any movement at all can be painful. Other physical problems caused by obesity are that obese women who become pregnant have a higher risk pregnancy than those of a healthy weight.
You are more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if you are overweight. In the UK, approximately 2.9 million people are affected by diabetes. People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.
It’s not all doom and gloom as there is help available if you are overweight or obese. It is a condition that you CAN do something about.
The great news is that by reducing body weight by just 5-10%, health risks are dramatically reduced. Losing weight also means levels of activity can be increased – contributing towards further weight loss.
Many people suffering with obesity also experience psychological problems, such as: poor concentration, low self-esteem, low confidence levels and feeling isolated. These can affect relationships with family members and friends and may lead to depression.
It is widely accepted that exercise and weight loss has significant physiological benefits.
Overall, exercise is one of the best ways to improve happiness and life satisfaction
The sad truth is that people suffering with obesity are more likely to suffer from prejudice and discrimination in some situations (for example employment, travel, healthcare, retail etc.)
They typically have fewer friends, have a lower educational attainment and experience lower levels of employment and remuneration.
“Life expectancy for the obese is dropped by 9 years.”