Obesity in women: causes and hidden health risks

Excess weight for many women begins with dissatisfaction with the reflection in the mirror, but sometimes kilograms become the cause of a chronic disease with systemic consequences for the entire body. Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, infertility and joint problems. Doctors remind us that with timely diagnosis and treatment, obesity can be controlled, reducing risks and restoring the quality of life. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Causes of obesity in women: hormones, heredity, and lifestyle

Obesity is formed at the intersection of several factors at once, and hormonal, hereditary, and behavioral causes are most often intertwined in women. Doctors emphasize that the simple formula "eat less and move more" does not always work if you do not take into account endocrine and genetic characteristics.

Hormones play an essential role: estrogens, progesterone, insulin, cortisol and prolactin affect appetite, metabolic rate and in which areas of the body fat reserves will be deposited. Increased cortisol levels against the background of chronic stress contribute to the recruitment of the so-called "hormonal belly", especially dangerous visceral fat.

A genetic predisposition increases the risk: dozens of genes have been described that affect appetite, calorie intake, and fat accumulation. However, experts emphasize that even with hereditary stress, lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity level and sleep quality still play a key role.

The lifestyle that contributes to obesity in women, doctors include:

• a regular excess of calories and frequent snacking, especially sugary drinks and fast food;

• sedentary work and a minimum of daily movement (physical inactivity);

• chronic stress and lack of sleep, eating disorders "to relieve tension."

How to determine the degree of obesity in women

Doctors warn that it is not enough to focus only on the number on the scales, it is important to understand the degree of obesity and the nature of fat distribution. For the initial assessment, simple indicators are used that every woman can measure at home or at a specialist's appointment.

The main diagnostic tools include:

• Body mass index (BMI) is the ratio of weight to the square of height, according to which overweight and obesity are distinguished.;

• waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio to identify abdominal (central) obesity;

• assessment of body fat percentage using bioimpedance analysis or other methods, if there is access to equipment.

  

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The danger is not only the "visible" kilograms, but also their localization, especially visceral fat around the internal organs. Abdominal-visceral type of obesity (apple-shaped) is most strongly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and lipid metabolism disorders.

According to the recommendations of international and national professional communities, the following are considered critical:

• BMI from 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and from 30 and above is obese to varying degrees.;

• a waist circumference of more than 80 cm in women as a marker of an increased risk of metabolic complications.

What diseases does obesity cause in women?

Doctors emphasize that obesity is not only a matter of appearance, but a chronic disease that gradually affects the heart, blood vessels, joints, endocrine and reproductive systems. Many complications form unnoticeably and manifest themselves already at the stage when it comes to a high risk of disability and even death.

The most common effects of excess weight in women:

• cardiovascular diseases - arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke;​

• type 2 diabetes mellitus and carbohydrate metabolism disorders closely related to visceral obesity;

• pathology of joints and spine due to chronic overload of the musculoskeletal system.

Experts pay special attention to the increased risk of cancer in obese people. Breast cancer and some types of digestive cancers are especially relevant for women, the frequency of which increases markedly against the background of overweight.

Gynecologists remind that obesity also affects reproductive health: it increases hormonal imbalance, disrupts the menstrual cycle and can lead to infertility. Increased estrogen levels in overweight people are associated with the risk of hyperplastic processes and certain hormone-dependent diseases.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.