The Real Problems With American Obesity
By Genevieve Cunningham
For many years now, the obesity rate in America has been on the rise. Researchers chalk it up to a combination of poor food choices and a growing sedentary lifestyle. More and more people, including children, are gaining weight at alarming rates. While we knew that this caused significant health problems, the true cost to our health is really beginning to come to light. To find out how being overweight may affect your health, check out these eye-opening and slightly frightening problems.
It’s Severely Damaging to the Heart
This is not a new discovery. It’s long been known that extra weight is hard on the heart, but with a drop in heart related deaths a few years ago, the number is on the rise again. But why? And how much damage does it really cause? The heart is a muscle. It pumps blood through your body and back again to keep you supplied with adequate amounts of oxygen. When we are overweight, it tends to cause blockages in veins and arteries. This means that the heart has to work much harder to pump enough oxygenated blood. It gets overworked and exhausted. In some cases, it literally can’t pump the blood through blockages, and you end up with life-threatening problems. While it’s easy to ignore this problem unless you’re severely overweight, doctors believe that even minimal excess weight begins to cause damage to the heart and its functions.
It Leads to Inactivity
The more weight that we carry around, the tougher it is to move. Movement hurts, and so we don’t want to do it. While this can seem like a minor problem, it actually causes aching joints, a slower metabolism, a weaker immune system, random aches and pains, and potential blood clots with deadly consequences. Exercise and movement are meant to be a part of our lives. We need it in order to stay healthy. The more difficult you make this on yourself, the more likely you are to skip the workout and further increase the problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
It Cuts Your Life Short
This is the big one … obesity can literally shorten your life. Major organs give out, heart attacks are more likely, and you may lose years off your life. The longer you live with excess pounds, the more years you are likely losing due to the damage caused. Losing weight will not only enhance the quality of your years, but it will likely lengthen the time that you have left to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Obesity is a big problem with big consequences. If you need help losing weight, seek out the advice of a professional. Losing weight is tough, and getting help may be just what you need to get you moving down a healthier path. Stick with it, be positive, and you may be able to reverse the damage and gain your precious years back again.