Why we focus on weight management?
Excess weight or adiposity has been incriminated in the causation of chronic diseases. Two thirds of the American population is either overweight - BMI >25 or obese - BMI =>30. In the past we were not sure if fat stores in our bodies had the capacity to secrete chemical agents, but now with modern science we realize that these fat depots have the capacity to secrete agents that can adversely affect our health in the long run. Let us review the effects of excess fat deposits :
The fat stores that are in excess of normal can increase the secretion of pro-inflammatory agents which in turn can contribute to diseases.
They can worsen the way the body reacts to insulin- which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar, thereby leading to insulin resistance and diabetes.
Excess adiposity can also increase the incidence of various cancers
The presence of excess fat can reset neuro-hormonal pathways and in turn hinder the ability of a person to lose the weight
Obesity is associated with obstructive sleep apnea which in turn can cause long term deleterious effects on one’s heart and lungs.
Excess adiposity also leads to mechanical overload on one’s joints and in turn contributes to premature arthritis.
Excess weight can also make a person prone to gastro-esophageal reflux or GERD, secondary to increased intraabdominal pressure caused by excess adipose or fat.
Excess fat can also accumulate in one’s liver causing large fat filled liposomes within liver cells that contribute to steatohepatitis (inflammation in liver secondary to excess fat) and long term non-alcoholic cirrhosis.
Chronic obesity or overweight states can cause increasing blood pressures, which in turn can cause end organ damage, heart attacks and strokes.
Having talked about all the effects of excess fat depots, we understand that this fat tissue actually secretes harmful agents that can affect our metabolism of fats, sugars and also increase systemic inflammation. This is why it is so important to eat healthy nutritious food and exercise daily, such that we can balance our energy intake and energy expenditure and strive to live long and strong!
