What are the risks of obesity and being overweight?

Obesity, from mild to more critical forms, and overweight itself, especially when excessive and constant, entail a series of risks for physical and mental health, and therefore represent one of the most serious wastes in the vital balance of man15-20 percent of obese people, mostly women, have no apparent significant symptoms of excessive fat. glycemia , pressure They are normal, nor are there any symptoms of cardiovascular problems. But over time, obese people are 50 percent more likely than those of normal weight to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The second element not to be underestimated is that weight is not the only parameter for defining obesity. When the ratio between weight in kilograms and height in meters squared is greater than 30, then we are talking about obesity. But, weight and the risks of cardiovascular problems and diabetes aside, obesity manifests itself with heavy muscles (and therefore great difficulty moving, sometimes even walk), hypertension, an increase in the production of cytokines, with a weakening of the immune system. And on a psychological level, this translates into a decline in self-esteem, and even possible forms of loneliness and social isolation.

By 2035, there will be 1,9 billion obese people in the world, one in four people, according to data processed by the World Obesity Federation. But obesity is already considered an epidemic disease, Due to its widespread nature (Italy was the first country in the world to recognize it, even in law), the paradox, in a nutshell, is this: we live obsessed with food, and with an interest in nutrition at all levels, yet in Italy we have reached 6 million obese people (12 percent of the population) and 46 percent of citizens are overweight. And the epidemic has a long history, in the sense that it takes off quickly: 19 percent of Italian children between the ages of 8 and 9 are overweight, and 1 in 10 is already obese.

Obesity (and this also partly includes being overweight) is a pathological condition capable of damaging numerous body systems, starting with the joints: knees, spine, back, and especially hips. Over time, these can lead to the onset of osteoarthritis , venous insufficiency, and even skin problems such as cellulite, skin problems such as endocrine secretions, stretch marks, skin inflammation caused by chafing, and atopic dermatitis.

On the cardiovascular level, obesity can lead to high blood pressure , hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia , triglycerides, and diabetes. In more severe cases, it can lead to myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, angina pectoris, and serious arrhythmias.

Problems can also arise in the respiratory system, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, dyspnea, difficulty lying down and therefore also compromised sleep and rest.

Severe obesity, but also overweight individuals, are more exposed to cancer, particularly breast cancer, kidney and gallbladder cancer, liver cancer, as well as colon and rectal cancer.

Furthermore, according to a study conducted in the United States , obesity can reduce a person's lifespan by up to 8 years. Therefore, obesity must be closely monitored and, above all, ways to treat the problem must be found through early diagnosis and targeted, effective interventions supported by medical specialists.

Tumors that can arise from being overweight

The link between obesity and cancer , which until recently was even denied, is increasingly being scientifically established. For example, a study published in the journal The Lancet , conducted in Great Britain on a sample of over 5 million people, equal to 9 percent of the population. A large and reliable sample, therefore. The research's conclusions are shocking: in the United Kingdom, according to scientists, at least 12.000 new cancers are recorded each year as a result of excess weight. That is, a body mass, which each of us can easily calculate (dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared), is deemed excessive, whereas the risk in adults is triggered when excess weight is 13 to 16 kilograms. What are the cancers that overweight men and women are at such a significant risk of developing? At least six: uterine, gallbladder, kidney, cervical, thyroid, and leukemia. Specifically, the risk of uterine cancer for women increases by 62 percent if they are overweight. Furthermore, overweight women are much more likely to develop breast cancer, while men are at increased risk of bile duct and rectal cancer.

The British study, in addition to the significant number of people involved, has other parameters that make it particularly reliable and useful for health policies and for regulating our lifestyles. The health conditions of the study participants were continuously monitored over a seven-year period, and during that time, 166.955 people developed one of the 22 cancers studied. Science, therefore, continues to raise alarm bells about poor nutrition and the dangers of being overweight. After the risk of diabetes and the increase in cardiovascular disease and blood pressure problems, we now know that obesity has a direct link to cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, the cancer risk associated with obesity particularly concerns these types of tumors:

• Breast (after menopause)
• Uterus
• Colon-rectum
• Kidney
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Esophagus

Psychological damage

Obesity not only causes physical consequences, but can also have significant psychological repercussions , which vary from person to person and also depend on the social and cultural context. Among the most common side effects associated with obesity are:

• Discrimination and stigma.  Obese people often experience prejudices in the workplace, school, medical, or social settings. The phenomenon is known as weight bias (weight bias) and can lead to forms of trough, or even illnesses classified as eating disorders.
• Social isolation.  Fear of judgment or discrimination can lead to a form of social withdrawal. Often, obese people, for example, avoid public places, the gym, the beach, or social events for fear of being observed or criticized. In turn, being excluded or self-excluded from social situations can lead to solitude, and this, in a sort of vicious circle, aggravates emotional and eating problems.
• Low self-esteemPeople with obesity often develop a negative body image, and may feel less attractive, less capable, or even "wrong." This impact can begin as early as childhood or adolescence.