by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
https://pixabay.com/users/stevepb-282134/
Being overweight or obese reduces life expectancy
Being overweight or obese shortens your life. Moderate obesity, defined as having a BMI between 35-40, shortens your life by around 3 years. Severe obesity, defined as having a BMI of 40 or above, shortens your life by around 10 years. This is the same number of lost years of life as being a lifetime smoker.
Weight loss improves life expectancy – but don’t wait!
One 2020 Boston study revealed those who lost a significant amount of weight between their 20’s and 40’s reduced their chance of dying prematurely by 54%. Losing weight after middle age does not seem to have the same dramatic effect. So don’t put off losing weight until tomorrow. Do it today!
Does weight loss lower blood pressure?
Having a BMI over 30 leads to a five times increased risk of high blood pressure. This is dangerous because high blood pressure causes strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, and retinal (eye) disease leading to blindness.
However, you can expect to lose 1 point of your systolic (upper reading) blood pressure for every 2 pounds of weight you lose. Even small reductions in weight can have a significant effect to reduce your blood pressure. Aim for losing 5-10% of your current body weight.
In the 1992 Trial of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP-1), those who lost 2 Kg (4.4.pounds) had an average reduction in their blood pressure readings, of 3.7 mm Hg systolic and 2.7 mm Hg diastolic (lower reading) pressures.
Weight loss – the benefits
Losing weight results in the following health benefits –
- Cholesterol – A 5-10% weight loss results in improved cholesterol levels. This means lower levels of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and higher levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol.
- Diabetes – Even losing just a small amount of weight, such as 1-2 Kg, reduces the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. However, in one American study, losing 6.7% of body weight reduced the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by an impressive 58%.
A 2-5% weight loss leads to improved management of type-2 diabetes, with lower fasting blood glucose levels, and improved HbA1c levels (a marker of glucose control).
- Cancer – Obesity is the second biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking. Thirteen cancers have been identified as linked to obesity. These include cancers of the oesophagus, thyroid, gall bladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, ovaries, uterus, colon and the rectum. The good news is that losing weight has been shown in medical studies to significantly lower cancer risk.
- Sleep – During sleep, the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin are produced. This may be one reason why sleep deprivation is linked to obesity. Lack of sleep is also linked to carbohydrate cravings. On the other hand, when you get enough good quality sleep, this facilitates weight loss. Losing belly fat (visceral fat) has also been found to improve the quality of sleep.
Additional health benefits of weight loss
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – Weight loss reduces OSA. This causes repeated episodes of airway obstruction that occur during sleep, causing the sufferer to temporarily stop breathing for short periods during the night.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) – Losing weight reduces the pain of OA, especially for example, pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee. Each one pound of weight loss equates to four pounds of weight off the knees.
- Liver disease – Weight loss leads to improved liver function with less fatty liver disease.
- Depression – Without doubt, mental health including depressive symptoms and depression, tend to improve as you lose weight.
- Libido – Many males and females report increased libido with weight loss, as the have improved confidence, self esteem, and more energy.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – Weight loss is recognised to improve fertility for PCOS sufferers, as it improves ovulation.
- Urinary symptoms – Stress and urge incontinence symptoms also show improvement with losing weight, which is likely to be because there is less intrabdominal pressure on the bladder.
- Bowel function – Losing weight is associated with less constipation and improved bowel function. There are also fewer symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion. A healthier diet results in better transit of food through the intestines.
Weight loss helps improve menopausal symptoms
Many research studies have shown that improving physical fitness by doing more physical exercise leads to a reduction in menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats. Doing more exercise also facilitates good sleep, improves mood, and supports weight loss.
Weight loss improves quality of life
After losing weight, many women report fewer physical symptoms, less fatigue, and generally more energy, with an increased satisfaction with life. This means that by losing weight, you have more energy for things like playing with your children and grandchildren, along with less painful joints.
Final thoughts
So often, if we are honest with ourselves, many of our symptoms are caused by being overweight or obese. Instead of reaching for medication, getting down to the root cause, and finding a way to lose weight, just has to be a better strategy – both in the short and long term. None of us can afford to be an ostrich when it comes to our weight. It’s time for all of us to open our eyes, get on the scales, and start losing those pounds.
There is so much help and support available just now. See your GP or practice nurse for more information.
Why not step into 2022 as you mean to go on? Time for a new you!
For more information
- NHS – Lose weight
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