Being overweight or obese can lead to some serious health issues, but it’s not just your physical health that suffers when you’re fat. You might also suffer from mental health issues, like low self-esteem and depression, and social isolation if you’re overweight, which can have lasting effects on your quality of life and personal happiness for years to come. Because there are so many consequences of being overweight, it’s important to lose weight so you can live your best life possible. These are the main negative consequences of being overweight that you need to know about!
Health Issues
Obesity can lead to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and even psychological issues. Obese people are also more likely to develop high blood pressure, asthma and sleep apnea. This serious health risks take a heavy toll on your physical as well as emotional health.
In some cases, these obesity-related health problems can lead to premature death.
Inability to participate in physical activities
While being over-weight may not impair your cognitive functions, it can make certain physical activities more difficult. Some people are able to participate in physical activities without a problem, but others find that the extra weight makes even mild exercise challenging. Physical activity is crucial for both mental and physical health, so those who are overweight can find themselves not only unhappy with their appearance but also unhealthy.
Low Self-Esteem
It’s not fair to you because your self-esteem takes a hit. You’re more likely to feel sad and regretful, which can lead to stress eating, binging, and depression. Plus, it’s much harder for you to do certain things like sit in an airplane seat or get through a narrow door frame.
Mental Fog
Studies have shown that being overweight can be linked to a foggy mind and an inability to concentrate. The reason behind this effect is because the body experiences a shortage in glucose which leads to increased brain function. This rise in blood sugar could also trigger mental energy crashes making it hard for an individual to stay focused on work or everyday tasks. Fat cells also secrete chemicals that make blood sugar even more difficult, making it harder for insulin to do its job as well.
Financial Challenges
A study by Health, Inc. found that people who are obese lose more than five years off their lives, primarily because obesity is a leading cause of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, one study found that the total annual cost to society as a result of obesity was $168 billion in 2008 dollars (approximately $1.7 trillion adjusted for inflation) with the medical costs attributable to overweight and obesity accounting for nearly $147 billion.
Difficult to find love
Love is a feeling most people share. No one should be denied this feeling, even if they are overweight. Not being able to find love could lead to depression and low self-esteem as well as lessen the likelihood that you will find your soulmate. Even if you can’t see it right now, there is a chance you will have more success with love when you lose weight.
No energy left for hobbies
Leisure activities take up a lot of time and being out-of-shape can make it difficult to participate in them. For instance, exercise is often seen as an enjoyable activity that not only provides great benefits to your body but also your mental well-being. However, those who are out-of-shape may find it hard to maintain a level of physical activity that is safe and appropriate for their health.
Decreased confidence at work
Being overweight may not only be harming your health, but it is also affecting your chances for success at work. How? Well, research has shown that when overweight women were evaluated for a job (in two separate study groups), the fatter woman was deemed less competent and was offered less salary than the thinner counterpart. In addition, other studies have suggested that if you’re an obese person with a job interview in today’s society, you are significantly less likely to get hired than if you were a more typical weight range.
Physical complications with pregnancy
Maternal overweight can have a number of adverse effects on the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes, for example, have been linked to an increased risk for a preterm birth and delivering an infant who is either too small or too large at birth. A mother’s obesity has also been implicated in other complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, placental abruption, or miscarriage.
Easier to catch diseases
Having a higher BMI (body mass index) means you’re more likely to catch common diseases, like the flu or a cold. In fact, studies show that overweight people may be up to four times more likely to catch respiratory syncytial virus than people who are not overweight.