On Obesity And Heart Disease
Obesity and Heart Disease
Obesity is an increasingly common metabolic disorder that affects not only U.S. population but the developing world as well. The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III 1988-1991) estimates about thirty-three percent of U.S. population is obese as compared to previous (1976-1980) survey that only showed twenty five percent.
Studies have suggested that obesity and heart disease are two inseparable conditions. Obesity has an aggravating effect on atherosclerosis, which is one form of heart disease. This becomes especially true when the distribution of the body fat is located in the middle of the body, the gut, and the love handles.
Until lately, the connection between obesity and heart disease was observed as indirect. Long-term studies however, point out that obesity not only relates to but separately predicts coronary atherosclerosis. This relationship between obesity and heart disease appears to exist for both men and women.
Obesity may have some genetic factors associated with it but oftentimes it could be prevented and reversed with little effort. Obesity may start from childhood mostly connected to dietary factors such as poor eating habits, high sugar intake, and high fat diet. Other factors would include insufficient exercise, stress, and family history. Later in life, obesity becomes an independent factor associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and heart disease problems.
Obesity and heart disease presents increased health risks and life-threatening conditions. Obesity is now distinguished to be a key factor for coronary heart disease which can lead to heart attack. It raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lowers the 'good' cholesterol HDL, raises blood pressure levels, and induces diabetes.
Even when there are no unpleasant effects on known risk factors, obesity and heart disease risk increases. Its major cause could not only be on the heart and blood vessels but it can also cause gallstones and worsen degenerative joint disease.
To improve ones cardiovascular health, weight loss is needed and is a high priority of the American Heart Association. An obese person needs to get a personal food plan that takes into account the current eating habits, lifestyle, ethnicity, energy needs, culture, diet prescription related to medical treatment, and potential nutrient drug interactions.
Getting exercise as well as making the right choices in the eating habits will help one loose weight. Not only does loosing weight improve health, but improves ones outlook in life as well. Feeling better about yourself because of being able to do things that you were not able to do when fighting the terrible disease of obesity, is just one of the rewards you'll get. An improved emotional health can do a world of good to the heart as well. Lowered stress levels and feeling better about yourself are the main factors of heart health. Stopping obesity and heart disease calls for prevention as the main key.
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