Obesity is described as a condition where a person weighs significantly above the normal accepted weight for a person to function normally.
Obesity is also calculated by body mass index (BMI). Anyone with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Obesity is a health hazard and is a risk factor for a number of life-threatening conditions including heart disease.
Heart disease is the number one cause of mortality in the United States.
Obese people are most likely to suffer from high blood pressure and are at a greater risk for developing heart disease and stroke. A high blood cholesterol level, another major risk for a serious heart condition, is also associated with obesity.
An obese person carries more body mass and body fat, which causes the heart to strain itself to pump blood throughout the body. An obese person can suffer from a heart attack or a cardiac arrest. A heart attack happens when the supply of oxygen rich blood is stopped because of blood vessels blocked by fat.
As per the estimates of the World Health Organisation, heart disease accounts for 12 million deaths in the world every year. The major causes or risk factors of heart disease are as follows:
According to medical research, health risks of obesity include:
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12.5 million or 17% of children and adolescents, between the ages of 2 to 19 years in the United States are obese. The studies show that the obesity among children and adolescents has tripled since 1980.
However, obesity can be prevented. Regular physical activity, a natural healthy diet and maintaining healthy BMI can fight obesity and guard a person against all the potential health hazards. Losing about 5% to 10% of weight can decrease the chances of heart disease or a stroke by a good margin.
In some cases of obesity, only medications may not be enough, gastrointestinal surgery may be required. It is advisable to consult the expert medical specialist for proper guidance and treatment.
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