Obesity is an emerging health problem in India. Millions of people are affected by obesity and the crisis is anticipated to worsen in the coming years. In simple terms, obesity is a condition where there is an abundance of fat deposition in the body. Body weight is a result of many things working together, such as food choices, environment, socioeconomic influences, metabolism, and genes. Behavioral and environmental factors are considered as the major contributors to obesity.
High body fat levels, poor eating habits and lack of exercise are common signs of obesity in teenagers. While in childhood obesity is associated with playing video games, watching television and eating junk food. Overall, increased consumption of high-calorie food along with not enough physical activities can lead a person in being overweight. Lack of physical exercise also results in energy imbalance which increases the weight of the body.
Overweight, obesity and excess weight are treatable as well as preventable conditions. Experts at the obesity clinic suggest weight-loss treatment that might just work perfectly. Also, making healthy food choices and getting into regular exercise can prevent obesity. However, the major problem here is that people tend to miss out on the silent symptoms associated with obesity. It is important to catch these symptoms as soon as possible because being overweight can lead to serious health issues and sometimes fatal. Here are some silent symptoms that need your attention:
Silent Symptoms of Obesity that Requires Attention:
1. Shortness of Breath
One of the most important yet ignored symptoms of obesity is shortness of breath. When too much fat gets accumulated around and below the chest area, it might push against the diaphragm causing pressure on the lungs. This pressure causes difficulty in breathing and the person suffering might take shallow breaths. When this symptom is not addressed it leads to a bigger problem such as fatigue. The body fails to function as effectively as possible due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. You will see obese people feel tired and rest often. This constant fatigue in the body could keep the person away from their favorite physical activities.
2. Skin Irritation
This is a lesser-known symptom of obesity. Extra weight on different parts of the body makes rolls of fat, leading the skin to fold underneath. These skin areas rub against itself when the person moves around and becomes raw. Also, the skin tucked between these areas fails to get the required ventilation, which leaves the skin moist as the person sweats. This causes skin irritation such as redness, bumps, patches, etc and when not addressed on time it could promote serious skin infections and other skin diseases.
3. Back and Joint Pain
Back and Joint pain is a common yet silent symptom of obesity. Being overweight puts pressure on our skeletal system leading to back and joint pains. Body joints have a certain capacity of handling so much weight and pressure, and when it goes beyond they become stiff and sore. Some obese people could suffer from muscle tiredness and weakness. This symptom needs to be addressed as early as possible because this will make an individual’s day to day activities like standing, walking or running difficult. Obesity is said to aggravate osteoarthritis in different areas of the body such as hips, ankles, and knees.
4. Sleep Apnea
Most people are not aware of this symptom, but it is one of the most dangerous. Sleep apnea, depression, and snoring make a person deprived of sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts while sleeping. Obesity might worsen this condition because excess fat could close off airways making the person even more difficult to breathe. Untreated sleep apnea could lead to many serious health issues such as heart failure, depression, stroke, etc.
5. Health Issues
If you have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problem or diabetes, then obesity could be a potential reason. These health conditions are a clear indication of obesity because as a person gains weight and the body is unable to handle the same it causes various health problems. Overweight is highly linked to certain kinds of cancer, particularly of the breast, colon, and prostate. These symptoms must be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.
Obesity is not just about physical change; it also has negative physiological effects. When people are judged by their appearance it can lead to a higher risk of depression, especially in children and teens. Seek expert guidance to prevent and treat obesity before it’s too late!
