What Are the Consequences of Being Overweight?
Obesity is one of the most common diseases today. It’s not just a cosmetic or external problem but also poses several health risks. It’s vital to know about the consequences of being overweight, so people realize how important it is to avoid the condition.
Despite the insistence of nutrition professionals, advertisements and sales of ultra-processed foods are on the rise. This is contributing more and more to metabolic and weight problems among the general population. Despite all the risks that an inadequate diet poses for a person’s health, only a small number of people manage to maintain a balanced diet.
Being overweight increases the risk of developing diseases
You’ve probably already guessed it. But an investigation published in the magazine Bulletin du Cancer has found evidence that obesity increases the risk of developing cancer. This complex disease responds to genetic factors, but also to environmental factors, such as diet.
There are several lifestyle choices that can increase the probability of tumors. Did you know that an inadequate diet that causes excess weight tops the list? Also, stress, not sleeping enough hours each night, as well as toxic habits such as smoking or drinking in excess, can also increase the risk of getting a tumor.
To maintain a balanced body composition (the proportion of fat and non-fat tissue in your body), it’s essential to look after your diet. Make the consumption of fresh foods the priority instead of ultra-processed foods. Limiting your intake of simple sugars is also an effective strategy for maintaining the right body weight.
Diabetes: consequences of being overweight
Together with excess weight, diabetes is another of the most common diseases among the general populace in developed lands. This disease can appear when the pancreas has been under considerable stress over many years.
A study published by the BBA Molecular Basis of Disease has demonstrated that an insufficient diet and obesity are two contributing factors to a higher risk of diabetes. It’s fitting to point out that diabetes is a chronic disease. That means it doesn’t have a cure. Once diabetes appears in someone’s life, it’ll affect their habits for the rest of their life.
Being overweight influences the hormonal system
Apart from increasing the risk of developing other complex diseases, being overweight also negatively influences how the hormonal system works. This can affect a person’s reproductive capacity, for instance.
An increase in the fatty tissue below the skin is related to a decrease in the production of testosterone. This hormone is responsible for producing sperm cells, in addition to favoring the reproductive instinct.
Did you know that a decrease in the production of testosterone can also lead to a progressive loss of muscle mass and of strength? Both of these conditions will have negative effects on your health, even just over the medium term.
To avoid gaining weight, watch your diet
What if you’re already overweight, or if you want to avoid this situation in the future? We recommend that you pay special attention to your diet. A balanced diet can help you avoid gaining excess weight. Make sure your dietary plan is balanced and varied. What you eat shouldn’t exceed the calories you need for each day.
In the same way, try to avoid toxic habits such as excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco. These can also influence how your metabolism can process nutrients and can increase your tendency to weight gain. It’s always better to eat more fresh foods instead of ultra-processed foods.
Being overweight has negative consequences for your health
Of course, in some circumstances being overweight is due to genetic causes. However, generally, diet is responsible for this situation. With that in mind, it’s essential that you pay close attention to what you eat every day.
As you’ve seen, being overweight has more consequences than just affecting your appearance. The development of this disease can increase the risk of other complex diseases over the medium term.
Also, many types of cancer are associated with being overweight and with an excess of fatty tissue under the skin. Being overweight can even influence your body’s production of hormones. This has a negative impact on your reproductive capacity.
If you’re not sure how to improve your diet to avoid excess weight gain, consult a professional. They can also help you to reverse this situation if you’re already on the road to obesity. A nutritionist will also be able to help you to optimize your diet. You should plan your diet according to your individual needs, to prevent weight gain in the future.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Salaun H., Thariat J., Vignot M., Merrouche Y., et al., Obesity and cancer. Bull Cancer, 2017. 104 (1): 30-41.
- Boles A., Kandimalla R., Reddy PH., Dynamics of diabetes and obesity: epidemiological perspective. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis, 2017. 1863 (5): 1026-1036.