Obesity-related health conditions are health conditions that, whether alone or in combination, can significantly reduce your life expectancy. The risk of death from diseases such as diabetes or heart attack is five to seven times greater. Even beyond the issue of obesity-related health conditions, weight gain alone can lead to a condition known as “end-stage” obesity where, for the most part, no treatment options are available. Yet an early death is not the only potential consequence. Social, psychological and economic effects of morbid obesity, however unfair, are real and can be especially devastating.
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Common Co-morbidities Connected with Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes – Obese individuals develop a resistance to insulin
- High blood pressure / Heart disease – Excess body weight strains the ability of the heart to function properly.
- Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints – The additional weight placed on joints, particularly knees and hips, results in rapid wear and tear producing pain and decreased mobility.
- Sleep apnea / Respiratory problems – Fat deposits in the tongue and neck can cause intermittent obstruction of the air passage and loss of sleep resulting in daytime drowsiness and headaches.
- Depression – Seriously overweight persons face constant challenges to their emotions: repeated failure with dieting, disapproval from family and friends, sneers and remarks from strangers. They often experience discrimination at work, cannot fit comfortably in theatre seats, or ride in a bus or plane.
- Infertility / Menstrual irregularities – Morbidly obese woman often experience disruptions of the menstrual cycle, including interruption of the menstrual cycle, abnormal menstrual flow and increased pain associated with the menstrual cycle and have difficulty getting pregnant.
The above list is only a partial list of the co-morbities and an explanation of the impact that being severely overweight has in the lives of the obese. For more detail information please attend one of our free in-person or on-demand webinars or schedule a personal consultation.
Additional Costs of Obesity
The personal cost of living with obesity can also be significant. Consider the following out of pocket healthcare and personal expenses:
- Over-the-counter medication costs
- Co-pays for doctor office visits
- Co-pays for lab work
- Co-pays for specialists
- Prescription co-pays
- Co-pays for physical therapists/allied health professionals
- Employment inactivity costs (days of missed work)
- Non-surgical weight loss programs (such as Weight Watchers® or Jenny Craig®) and Grocery and dining costs
These expenditures quickly add up. You may find that dramatic weight loss can greatly reduce your weight related costs.