Health problems associated with obesity

Being severely overweight is a risky proposition. There are many health problems associated with being obese. Learning about the health risks associated with being overweight is a wise thing to do, because it may be a necessary motivation to lose weight. Here we discuss what can happen to you if you are overweight, as well as some tips for managing the problem.

Health risks of being overweight

Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely, due to a number of health-related issues including:

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Diabetes

• Cancer

• Gallbladder disease

• Gallstones

• Osteoarthritis

• Gout

• Breathing problems such as sleep apnea

• Asthma

Other health risks

Mental health can be as important as physical health. Being overweight can cause depression, even in the absence of other health problems.

Director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health, UniSA Professor Elina Hypponen, who co-led the study, said the team took a genomic approach to their research.

"We separated the psychological component of obesity from the impact of obesity-related health problems using genes associated with higher body mass index (BMI), but with a lower risk of diseases like diabetes," Prof Hypponen says.

"These genes were just as strongly associated with depression as those genes associated with higher BMI and diabetes. This suggests that being overweight causes depression both with and without related health issues -- particularly in women"

The doctor in the above study estimates that health problems associated with obesity and depression have worldwide costs for treatment totalling trillions of dollars per year.

Heart disease and stroke

In the UK, heart disease and stroke are second only to death by cancer. Those who are overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High blood levels of cholesterol is also linked to heart disease, and is also linked to being obese.

Being overweight contributes to angina (chest pain from decreased oxygen to the heart), and sudden death from stroke or heart disease without signs or symptoms.

Treatment for obesity

If you are obese and are concerned about the health risks, you may consider ways to reduce the problem by losing weight. Some ways you can help reduce your weight:

• Eat healthily

• Regular exercise and physical activity

• Weight management programs

• Weight loss medicines

• Bariatric surgery

• Special diets

Healthy habits

Changing the habits which caused you to gain weight is crucial in losing weight and maintaining proper weight once you have reached a satisfactory weight. This involves changing your diet and getting some exercise. If you develop a plan and stick to it, with patience you can get healthier by losing weight.

• Be prepared for setbacks. After experiencing a setback (such as overeating at a family gathering), regroup and refocus on getting back into a healthy eating pattern as quickly as you can. Everyone experiences some setbacks in their quest to lose weight, it is completely normal.

• Set goals. Setting specific goals for weight loss through diet and exercise will be more helpful than vague directions. Instead of "eat less", count the calories of your meal and keep them within the proper range. Remember, this is for your long term health.

• Surround yourself with supportive people. Getting encouragement from friends and family can be the glue that holds your weight loss regimen together. Surround yourself with supportive people, even trained health professionals, who can help keep you on the path to success.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery includes procedures that are used on obese people who wish to lose weight. The weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach through various means. Some procedures will place a gastric band around the stomach to make it smaller. Others will remove a small portion of the stomach by re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch. Surgery is a drastic measure which should only be used as a last resort after you have tried other remedies for obesity.

Weight loss medicines

In the UK, the only prescription medication for controlling obesity is called Orlistat. It is a medication that can prevent the absorption of fat in your digestive tract, allowing it to pass through your system without causing you to gain weight.

What is Orlistat?

Orlistat is a drug that treats obesity. It is also sold under the brand name Xenical. It is also sold in smaller doses under the brand name Alli. Because Alli is a lower dose of Orlistat, it is sold over-the-counter in the UK (meaning you do not need a prescription).

Where can I buy Orlistat in the UK?

We sell Orlistat here at UK Meds. We also have Xenical and Alli for sale. It is crucial when buying medications online, to only get them from a trusted pharmacy UK online, such as UK Meds.