Can Obesity Lead To Chronic Diseases? See What Experts Say

The prevalence of obesity has increased in India. This is because communities have emerged from a lifestyle of subsistence towards a lifestyle of affluence.

Obesity And Its Link To Chronic Diseases

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Obesity is the accumulation of excess fat in the body. Fat deposition occurs over time, because people consume a diet that provides far more energy than they need for metabolism, physical activity, and growth. The prevalence of obesity has increased in India. This is because communities have emerged from a lifestyle of subsistence towards a lifestyle of affluence.

What Is Obesity? 

Dr Sonali Parlikar (MBBS,DND) said, "Obesity is defined as excess of body fat frequently resulting in significant impairment of health. Since it's a burning global problem it can be called as Globesity. It is a disease which has to be treated in the right , scientific manner on a war footing. In addition, obesity has a close link to many chronic diseases."

Obesity And Its Link To Chronic Diseases:

Dr. Sonali Palkar listed out the diseases which can result becasue of obesity:

• On Heart- Hypertension, Angina, Myocardial infarction,Dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation 
• Upper body obesity leads to insulin resistance causingType 2 Diabetes mellitus.
• Paralysis, due to the blockage of blood vessels going to brain.
• Varicose veins
• Respiratory diseases like pulmonary hypertension,Asthma, exercise intolerance.
• Gynecological problems like irregular periods,PCOD, infertility, precocious puberty.
• Cancer Of colon, prostate, breast, ovaries, Gall bladder.
• Joint pain, arthritis.
• Kidney stones,gall bladder stones.
• Other liver and kidney diseases
• Skin diseases like intertrigo,acanthosis nigricans etc.
• Early aging
• Psychological problems like depression, inferiority complex, eating disorders,poor self esteem.

How Does Obesity Lead To Chronic Diseases?

In this regard, dietician Umang Malhotra said, "Obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. People who are obese are more likely to develop disease or other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and dyslipidemia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, and gout."

 

He further went on to list down the key chronic diseases linked to obesity:

 

Disturbed lipid profile: The lipid profile of obese individuals is often disturbed. Triglyceride levels are usually high and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are low. Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are both synthesized from the products of dietary fat digestion. With weight loss, both values returned to normal.

 

Insulin resistance: Obesity is a contributing factor to insulin resistance. Insulin levels in the blood rise (hyperinsulinemia) because enough insulin is produced but the body's cells are unable to use it. This impairs glucose utilization, leading to elevated fasting blood glucose levels and impaired glucose tolerance.

 

Cardiovascular disease and stroke: Obesity may be an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, and the degree of obesity is directly proportional to the incidence of coronary heart disease. Even moderate obesity has been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Weight loss can improve cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and abnormal blood lipid levels.

 

Osteoarthritis And Gout: Obesity has also been linked to the development of osteoarthritis and gout. The extra stress on the weight bearing joints is a contributing factor. Obese are prone to developing hyperuricaemia (excess uric acid in blood) resulting in gout.

 

Infertility: Overweight women have been reported to be more prone to menstrual irregularities, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, symptoms of which tend to improve with weight loss.

 

Sleep disturbances: One of the most common problems in obese men and women is sleep disturbances, commonly known as sleep apnea. The management of obesity should be addressed with a comprehensive understanding of the seriousness of the problem and the resultant outcome. A loss of 5-10% of the original body weight causes a significant improvement in health and reduces the likelihood of developing comorbidities or risk factors associated with obesity.

How Obesity Can Lead To Cancer:

In this regard, Shreya Mahajan who is a Senior Nutritionist at FITPASS said, "Obesity is linked with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including cancers of the oesophagus, pancreas, colon, rectum, breast, endometrium, kidney, thyroid, and gallbladder. According to the National Cancer Institute, several possible mechanisms have been suggested to explain the association between obesity and an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer."

• Fat tissue produces excess amounts of oestrogen, high levels of which have been associated with the risk of breast, endometrial, and some other cancers.
• Obesity can cause increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1, which may promote the development of certain tumors.
• Fat cells produce adipokines that may stimulate or inhibit cell growth.
• Obese people often have chronic low-level (or "subacute") inflammation, which has been associated with an increased cancer risk.

How Obesity Can Lead To Type 2 Diabetes:

Shreya Mahajan said, "Obesity causes adipocytes to be enlarged, which leads to the dysregulation of adipokine secretion. The dysregulation of adipokines is thought to contribute to adipocyte inflammation and ultimately insulin resistance. Insulin-resistant adipocytes can trigger the release of free fatty acids from adipocytes, leading to increased levels of circulating free fatty acids in the blood stream and the deposition of fatty acids into the liver and muscle. Elevated serum and intracellular lipids intensify insulin resistance by interfering with insulin signaling. Over time, uncontrolled blood glucose can lead to complications such as kidney disease, neuropathy, infection or amputations, retinopathy, gastroparesis, diabetic ketoacidosis, high blood pressure, and stroke."

She also spoke about how this can in turn casue liver diseases saying, "Obesity, T2D, and insulin resistance are independently associated with increased fat accumulation in the liver, known as steatosis. Steatosis initiates the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and as NAFLD progresses, hepatic inflammation (steatohepatitis) and cirrhosis can occur. When obesity is concentrated viscerally, free fatty acids enter the portal circulation and are deposited in the liver, initiating liver steatosis."

Lastly, Dr. Archana Gupta, who is the Founder of Purna Gummies concluded, "Obesity is a complicated and urgent public health issue that is deeply ingrained in the development of many chronic conditions. It's interesting how obesity's effects extend well into the realm of mental health as well, encouraging problems like anxiety and despair that can exacerbate physical health issues. This complex network of connected health concerns emphasises the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy for managing and preventing obesity. Such a strategy should include dietary changes, lifestyle alterations, and increased physical activity—a coordinated effort meant to lessen the burden of chronic conditions and foster overall well-being."