Obesity has assumed proportions of a global scourge in developed countries and especially in the United States where its spread has been quite alarming. This is largely attributable to the fast food culture and sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is found to cause serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke, and even cancer.
Obesity has been slotted as a chronic disease as it is found to cause serious medical conditions in more than 25% of the American population. It has also been found to be responsible for almost 300,000 deaths every year in the United States.
Obesity is considered even more damaging than smoking or drinking, as it affects all major body organs, including the heart, lungs, muscles, and bones. Researchers have linked obesity to almost 30 medical conditions that can be avoided by reducing the weight.
Physical health problems such as increased blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and asthma are all amplified as a result of obesity. It also leads to psychological problems such as low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. Loss of self-esteem is also one of the major effects of having several ramifications. Loss of self-esteem is a very serious and complex problem as its effect is very deep routed and may push an individual into depression.
It is seen that there are several social problems such as teasing and discrimination that have to be borne by obese individuals especially children. The alienation faced in childhood typically leaves a lasting impact on the psyche of the individual, and is manifested in several ways. It also creates problems of exhaustion for the individual leading to absenteeism from work.
There are several factors seen in children that are a pointer to obesity in later life and can be easily spotted by a health professional. These include developmental delays, poor growth in height, dysmorphic features, and hypogonadism. It is possible to treat these individuals early from these symptoms and hence prevent the problem of obesity.
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