The harm of excess weight: what is dangerous for the health of the body for women and men during pregnancy

How does excess weight affect your health?

Obesity (scientifically known as metabolic syndrome) is a chronic disease characterized by increased formation and deposition of fat in the subcutaneous fat and around internal organs.

In most cases, obesity is associated with overeating (especially a large intake of “fast” carbohydrates).

As a result of metabolic disorders, glucose turns into fat.

Obesity is a common complication of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and some endocrine disorders.

The diagnosis of obesity cannot be made simply by the patient's appearance. There is a formula called Body Mass Index.

Using it, it is possible to verify the preliminary diagnosis and adjust treatment with a high probability. Let's figure out what the dangers of obesity are.

What is malnutrition?

Body weight deficiency that occurs as a result of chronic nutritional and digestive disorders in young children is called malnutrition. In this case, exhaustion develops, the immune system weakens greatly, and the functioning of vital organs is disrupted. This pathology occurs in the first year of a child’s life and can be either congenital or acquired.

The degrees of body weight deficiency during malnutrition are divided into first, second and third.

The first degree manifests itself as follows: a slight decrease in appetite, excessive excitability, sleep disturbance. In a child, thinness manifests itself in the abdominal area, there is a decrease in skin and muscle tone, and infectious diseases develop. Weight loss at this stage is 11-20%.

The second degree of malnutrition is characterized by the fact that weight loss is already 20-30%. The child develops a developmental delay, begins to sleep poorly, has irregular bowel movements, and slows down his growth. Until one and a half years old, the baby often spits up, the skin becomes less elastic and gathers in folds. The limbs look very thin.

With the third degree of the disease, the child begins to lag behind in growth by 4-9 cm, and the weight deficit is already 30%. He begins to constantly feel sleepy, cries all the time, and often gets sick. The hands and feet are constantly cold, the subcutaneous tissue is greatly thinned, the skin becomes grayish, and the mucous membranes dry out. Chronic pneumonia or pyelonephritis develops.

Treatment includes diet and medication. Hypotrophy of the 2nd and 3rd degrees requires the child to be in the hospital. The effectiveness of diet therapy appears after 1-4 months, depending on the degree of weight deficiency. They also provide additional massages, exercise therapy, and ultraviolet irradiation. In severe cases, feeding is carried out using a tube.

What are the consequences of obesity and excess weight in women?

For women, obesity is considered a very big problem, if only because it deteriorates their figure and appearance.

If in men some defects in the figure are not perceived so critically, then in women, obesity can even become the cause of some neurotic disorders.

In addition to purely aesthetic and psychological problems, the effect of excess weight on a woman’s body can also manifest itself in the form of somatic pathologies:

Menstrual cycle disorders: disorders of the synthesis and secretion of female sex hormones (especially estrogens), contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, which aggravates the disruption of the endocrine reproductive system. Excess weight is a risk factor for developing polycystic ovary syndrome.
Adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system, which is especially observed in the premenopausal and menopausal periods, when age-related osteoporosis develops.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are very common in overweight women.
Breast cancer is more common in obese women than in other women.

Body fat percentage: male body

3-4%

This percentage of fat content is typical for bodybuilders during preparation for sports competitions. In this case, increased vascularity is observed - veins are visible on almost every muscle. Even the muscles on the buttocks have small gaps, and the absence of them indicates a very low fat content. The norm for men is considered to be about 2% fat content. This is the amount necessary for the body to function normally, since fat protects the organs in the abdominal cavity and thoracic region.

6-7%

This indicator is not as categorical as the previous one, but it is still not normal for most representatives of the strong field. The fact is that this is reflected in the appearance, for example, the face looks emaciated, which causes concern among people around. This percentage of fat content is typical for most models; their muscles are clearly defined, and there is clear vascularity, including the muscles of the limbs and abdomen. When the abdominal muscles are clearly visible, the muscles are clearly separated - this indicates low fat content.

10-12%

This is a normal level for a man. Of course, the abdominal muscles are not as clearly visible as in the previous case, but the abdominal muscles are clearly visible. This is exactly the condition and body shape that most men strive for. He is also considered attractive by the fair sex. This percentage of fat is characterized by grooves only in the arms and shoulders, and not in every muscle.

15%

This level corresponds to men with a fit and slender figure. The contours of the muscles are clearly visible, but there is no visible separation between them. Typically, the grooves are covered with a small amount of fat. However, this does not negatively affect the shape of the body - the figure is beautiful, despite the fact that there is no obvious muscle definition.

20%

This level of fat content is characterized by not very clear identification of muscles and blood vessels. In most cases, men develop a small belly. For example, the male population of New York City generally has a body fat level of 20-25%. But in other places this figure may differ. As a rule, a man with a height of 180 cm and a body weight of 81 kg has a body fat content of about 20% fat.

25%

In this case, there is a significant increase in waist size, muscles and blood vessels are practically not visible. If a man is 180cm tall, his minimum waist size can reach 91cm. Also, this percentage of fat content is characterized by a slight increase in neck volume and small fat folds. But all this is perfectly hidden by clothes. Men who have a higher level of fat than this point are faced with the problem of obesity. Abdominal obesity is recognized if the waist circumference exceeds 101 cm.

30%

This indicator is characterized by the distribution of fat throughout the body, including the formation of fat deposits in the waist, hips, back, and calves. Visually, the waist looks larger than the hips, the muscles are not visible at all, and the stomach sags.

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35%

When body weight constantly increases, the amount of fat also increases, more of which accumulates in the abdominal area. At this level, an even more saggy belly is observed, the waist as such disappears completely (its volume can exceed 101 cm). This type of belly is called a “beer belly.”

40%

As in the previous case, fat deposits are concentrated in the waist and abdominal area. Waist size can exceed 145cm. With this indicator, a person faces a number of problems with movement, especially on stairs. It's difficult to bend over. These are the first signs of obesity!

How does obesity affect diabetes?

In most cases, obesity is a causative factor for diabetes.

Heredity plays a big role here. A particular danger in such cases is that fat cells begin to form on the surface of internal organs, and in addition to external manifestations (figure defects are clearly visible), the disease is manifested by impaired functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs (so-called visceral obesity).

The more fat accumulates (diabetes mellitus is accompanied by hyperphagia - increased nutrition), the greater the load on the pancreas, which aggravates the course.

Therefore, for this endocrine pathology, one of the main therapeutic measures is the fight against excess weight.

Reasons for accumulation

According to WHO statistics, the main reasons for the body's accumulation of fat are poor diet and lack of activity. The consequences of excess weight manifest themselves in all organs and systems of the patient’s body, but most often the blood vessels and the heart organ are affected.

Over the past 2 decades, the number of deaths from cardiac and vascular pathologies has increased, and 80.0% of those who died had second and third degrees of obesity.

Today, cardiologists, endocrinologists and nutritionists have developed several diet options for each type of obesity, and there are also diets for women and men that correspond to the characteristics of the female and male body.

Diet programs have also been developed depending on the age of the person.

Cause of fat accumulation in the body

How does excess weight affect the heart?

The effect of excess weight and obesity on the cardiovascular system is one of the most important risk factors for the development of complications (myocardial infarction, stroke).

Fatty tissue can be deposited around the heart, forming the so-called fatty degeneration of the myocardium.

Insufficient arterial blood flow through the coronary arteries is due to partial closure of the lumen of the vessels by atherosclerotic fatty plaques, which can lead to ischemia, and in severe cases, to myocardial infarction.

The same reason can cause the development of ischemic stroke of the brain (blockage of cerebral arteries).

When there is a lack of oxygen, the heart muscle begins to contract more often and emit more blood, which leads to a persistent increase in blood pressure - hypertension.

Obesity increases the risk of worsening heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and atrial fibrillation.

Diet changes during self-isolation

Being at home and increasing the amount of free time (especially on holidays) provokes a passion for cooking, which is not always healthy.

The current daily routine has led to the fact that we began to eat more and cook more, including baking. Accordingly, we can talk about increasing the consumption of flour, eggs, butter and sugar. Almost all of these products tend to have a detrimental effect on weight and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Violation of the usual diet and diet can lead to an exacerbation of existing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and provoke their occurrence.

In addition, in the current situation there is a possibility of increased consumption of alcoholic beverages, which:

Negatively affect the function of the liver, pancreas and other organs of the digestive system;
Reduce the ability to control the food eaten;
They have a high calorie content.

How to avoid consequences?

Remember vegetables and fruits (fresh, frozen and canned);
Avoid alcohol;
Drink water (30 ml/kg body weight);
Prefer tea rather than coffee (as is known, it provokes fluid loss from the body, and in addition, can provoke heartburn);
When baking, use whole grain flour, a minimum of sugar and butter;
Choose whole grain and whole grain flour products;
Prefer food products with medium or low fat content (but not 0%);
Avoid carbohydrate foods for dinner;
Follow your diet;
Keep a food diary.

Be healthy!

The effect of excess weight on the endocrine system

Excess body weight in most cases leads to dysfunction of sex hormones, the production and function of insulin, corticosteroid hormones (if they are in excess, steroid obesity), and the hypothalamic-pituitary system (hypogonadism).

Of particular importance is a violation of the release of thyroid hormones (with hypogonadism - obesity).

Sources

1 Merriam-Webster, “Obese”
2 MedicineNet.com, “Medical Definition of Obesity, Exogenous”
3 MedicineNet.com, “Medical Definition of Obesity, Endogenous”
4 The Huffington Post, “The Big Difference Between Overweight and Obesity” May 25, 2011
5, 6 Harvard Health Publications, “Overweight and Healthy: The Concept of Metabolically Healthy Obesity” September 24, 2013
7, 9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Adult Obesity Facts”
8 Forbes, “1 in 5 Deaths Linked to Being Overweight or Obese: Does This Mean You?” August 19, 2013
10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Adults: United States, 2005 – 2008”
11 Eat This, Not That!, “The Most and Least Obese States in America - Ranked!”
12 Parenting, “Childhood Obesity: Symptoms”
13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Childhood Obesity Facts”
14 Mayo Clinic, “Childhood Obesity—Symptoms”
15 University of Rochester Medical Center, “What Is Morbid Obesity?”
16, 17 The International Journal of Obesity, “Morbid Obesity Rates Continue to Rise Rapidly in the US” June 2013
18 Wake Forest Baptist Health, “Causes of Morbid Obesity”
19 The New York Times, “Morbid Obesity”
20, 21 NHS Choices, “Causes of Obesity”
22 US National Library of Medicine, “Prader-Willi Syndrome”
23 US National Library of Medicine, “Bardet-Biedl Syndrome”
24 US National Library of Medicine, “Alström Syndrome”
25 US National Library of Medicine, “Cohen Syndrome”
26 Mayo Clinic, “Obesity—Risk Factors”
27 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Overweight and Obesity—Causes”
28, 29 MedicineNet.com, “Obesity—What Causes Obesity?”
30 Mayo Clinic, “Obesity—Symptoms”
31 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Overweight and Obesity—Signs, Symptoms, and Complications”
32 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Child & Teen BMI”
33, 34, 35 Health Direct, “Obesity Symptoms”
36 American Diabetes Association, “Type 2”
37 WebMD, “Type 2 Diabetes”
38 American Heart Association, “Coronary Artery Disease—Coronary Heart Disease” October 10, 2016
39 WebMD, “Slideshow: A Visual Guide to High Blood Pressure” January 22, 2016
40, 41 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “Gallstones”
42 National Cancer Institute, “Obesity and Cancer”
43 WebMD, “Health Risks Related to Obesity”
44 NHS Choices, “Overweight and Pregnant”
45 American Diabetes Association, “What Is Gestational Diabetes?”
46 The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Obesity and Pregnancy”
47 Mayo Clinic, “Obesity—Treatment and Drugs”
48 The Journal of the American Medical Association, “Vegetable, Fruit, and Cereal Fiber Intake and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Men” Feb 14, 1996
49 Stroke, “Dietary Fiber Intake and Risk of First Stroke” March 28, 2013
50 Nutrition Reviews, “Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber” April 2009
51 Time, “Exercise Slows Brain Aging by 10 Years” March 24, 2016
52, 53, 54 American College of Sports Medicine, “Obesity and Exercise” October 7, 2016

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Consequences of fatty liver

A disorder of fat metabolism in the liver is called fatty hepatosis. Fat cells accumulate in hepatocytes, which dramatically impairs the function of liver cells.

This condition very often develops with general obesity against the background of alcoholism.

Fatty hepatosis in the absence of therapy leads first to an enlargement of the liver, and then to a decrease in it as a result of cirrhosis - the replacement of fat cells and hepatocytes with connective tissue.

Due to significant functional disorders, all metabolic processes are disrupted (the liver is the central part of metabolism), there is a deficiency of vitamins and vital amino acids, blood clotting is reduced, and massive edema is observed.