OBESITY

Difficulties faced by an overweight person

The overweight person faces many problems. Being overweight is conducive to the development of various diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. But it can also lead to diabetes, low back pain, sleep apnea and arthrosis. Anxiety disorders can also occur as a result of an inactive lifestyle. There are countless worries in everyday life at work, at school and in society. They are mainly psychological and sometimes cause discomfort. With the right support and real motivation, it is possible to overcome obesity.

The impact of obesity on the health of the overweight person

An overweight person has a body mass index between 25 and 30, and when it is between 30 and 35, the person is said to be obese. Obesity is severe when the BMI is between 35 and 40. With a BMI over 40, we talk about morbid obesity. Above 50, we have massive obesity. Being overweight is always a source of chronic disease. It's not just a question of weight. Various disorders are associated with it and can become distressing in the long run.

Cardiovascular disorders

These include the heart and the blood vessels that supply it with various nutrients. Coronary heart disease affects the blood vessels in connection with the heart muscles. Cerebrovascular diseases affect the vessels supplying the brain. Peripheral arterial diseases affect the vessels supplying the legs and arms. Other cardiovascular diseases affecting the overweight person include:

Diabetes

It is one of the consequences of being overweight. An overweight person can develop diabetes when there is too much fat in his or her body. The need for insulin increases, but the pancreas can no longer satisfy it. Complications of diabetes include kidney disease, retinopathy, heart attack, stroke or neuropathy.

Low back pain

In the overweight person, the extra kilos promote a weakening of the abdominal belt muscles. The lumbar discs are under great pressure, as the spinal column has to support an additional load. This causes pain in the lower back in the lumbar region.

Sleep apnoea

The accumulation of fat in the abdomen, pharynx and neck in the overweight person helps to block air circulation through the throat and nose at night. Breathing blockages occur during sleep and repeatedly.

Arthrosis

Overweight puts additional pressure on the cartilage and joints. Trauma to the joint is caused. The risk of osteoarthritis increases.

The psychological effects of obesity on the overweight person

Overweight people encounter many difficulties in everyday life. Indeed, being overweight causes negative stereotyping, hostility, discrimination, prejudice and stigmatisation against them. From a psychological point of view, the obese individual may feel disgust and guilt about his or her condition. They also face medical and social intolerance. They may feel misunderstood and excluded.

These are all situations that favour a state of depression, anxiety or bulimic hyperphagia. In most cases, this state of depression is more pronounced in women than in men. They end up rejecting their own bodies and underestimating themselves.

The social repercussions of obesity

The overweight person's quality of life deteriorates as they experience many affronts in their relationships. In hiring, for example, being overweight is a source of discrimination. Any excuse is good for not giving the overweight person a chance. Otherwise, always at work, repeated absences lead to a cessation of work because of the worker's obesity. The worker sometimes has to deal with medical emergencies related to his or her condition. The concern also arises in transport, in the TGV or by plane. Otherwise, other people's eyes are also another problem to be faced. In society, the person suffering from obesity is badly judged, whether he or she is male or female, small or large.

Overcoming obesity for the well-being of the overweight person

Overweight people can regain their well-being by following a healthy lifestyle. To do this, they will need to ensure that they eat a balanced diet so that their metabolic rate increases. This means that they should:

For weight loss to be effective and efficient, the use of health professionals is indicated. The nutritionist, dietician, psychotherapist or general practitioner will be of great help, as obesity is a disease. Otherwise, at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity is required. The time spent in front of the screens should also be limited. Otherwise, gastric surgery is another option in cases of morbid obesity. It consists of reducing the volume of the stomach.