04/23/2025
Hazards of Obesity
Cardiovascular Diseases: Obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and hyperlipidemia. In obese individuals, the accumulation of body fat can cause the blood vessel walls to thicken and the lumen to narrow. This affects blood circulation, increases the burden on the heart, and makes it more likely to trigger cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes: Obesity leads to insulin resistance, reducing the sensitivity of body cells to insulin. As a result, it impacts the normal metabolism and utilization of blood sugar, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Respiratory Diseases: Obese people often have more fat accumulated in the neck and chest areas, which can impede the patency of the respiratory tract. During sleep, problems like sleep apnea syndrome are likely to occur. Over time, this can lead to a decline in lung function and an increased probability of developing respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Joint Diseases: Due to the higher body weight of obese individuals, the joints, especially weight - bearing joints like the knees and hips, bear increased pressure. Under long - term high - pressure conditions, it is prone to cause wear and tear of joint cartilage and joint degeneration, leading to joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Cancer: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. It is likely that factors such as hormonal imbalances and inflammatory responses caused by obesity promote the growth and development of cancer cells.
