Currently, many young people, especially those in urban areas, prefer to eat foods high in fat and sugar. They also spend many hours working in front of computers, move little, work hard, stay up late, and rarely have time to exercise. As a result, many people face health problems from a young age, including being overweight beyond the standard range. If behaviors are not adjusted appropriately, these problems may accumulate and lead to chronic diseases in the long term. Examples of diseases related to obesity include:
Joint and Muscle Injuries
Joints and muscles of people who are overweight have to bear extra weight constantly, making them more prone to injuries.
Kidney Overwork
Obese people often eat more than usual, so their kidneys have to work harder to eliminate various wastes. Additionally, obese individuals are at risk of chronic diseases that require regular medication, which may affect kidney function.
Diabetes
Lack of exercise combined with excessive intake of carbohydrates and fats can lead to obesity and increase the risk of diabetes because carbohydrates and fats are converted into sugar, raising blood sugar levels.
High Blood Pressure
In fact, both obese and thin people can develop high blood pressure, but regularly consuming sweet, fatty, and salty foods along with obesity increases the risk.
High Blood Lipids
If the body has higher than normal blood lipid levels, it can cause blood vessels to harden, narrow, or become blocked, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The main cause is usually eating foods rich in fat and cholesterol.
Gallstones
Gallstones result from the accumulation of fat and cholesterol. The risk increases with age due to a slower metabolism. Therefore, we should choose nutritious foods and drink enough water to help reduce sediment formation that causes gallstones.
Sleep Apnea
This condition is common in obese people and those with underlying chronic diseases. It is an abnormal sleep pattern that causes chronic oxygen deprivation and the release of substances affecting blood vessel constriction, impacting heart rhythm and potentially causing sudden cardiac arrest.
Cancer
Obesity increases the risk of several types of cancer, such as esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Reduce Risk by Avoiding Obesity
Thais aged 15 and above can easily assess abdominal obesity by measuring the waist circumference at the navel (in centimeters) and comparing it to half of their height (in centimeters). If the waist circumference is greater than half the height, it indicates possible abdominal obesity. Alternatively, calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) by dividing weight (kg) by height (m) squared. For Asians, a suitable BMI range is 18.5-22.9. A BMI between 23.00-24.9 is considered overweight or mildly obese, and a BMI over 25 is classified as obese.
The main cause of obesity is usually inappropriate lifestyle behaviors, but some cases result from genetics or certain disorders, such as thyroid disease, which disrupts metabolism.
The safest and least side-effect-prone approach to weight loss is to eat a balanced diet with appropriate portions, avoid fatty, fried, and sweet foods, exercise regularly, and have annual health check-ups. If weight remains high or continues to increase despite diet control and exercise, consult a specialist as there may be underlying health issues.
