COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY

1. Disorders: Obese are more susceptible and prone to elevation of triglyceride and cholesterol (also known as ‘Hyperlipidaemia’), stones in gall bladder, hyperneusccalmia than general population. The said complications raise part in cases of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) than insulin dependent patients.

2. Psychological Complexes: Because of their shabby-looking and bulging bodies, obese people avoid social gatherings ad functions. Others may like to meet them, even if for the sake of fun, but they would like to have company and the time, which they had to spend with meeting people, is utilized in eating (rather overeating). Young adult females feel ashamed abhor or avoid company, because of their none too-pleasant appearance and disproportionate bodies, they also develop sexual and physiosocial problems.

3. Mechanical Disabilities: These are nit ‘mechanical’ disabilities in literal sense of the term. Here the word ‘mechanical’ means the organic (not mechanical) disturbances of our physical system which emanate from obesity. These may include effort-onset breathlessness (Dyspnoea) enhanced susceptibility to other respiratory infections caused by interference with mechanism of respiration, of adipose tissue around the trunk. Abdominal and diaphragmatic hernia may also ensue, due to the very fact that abdominal muscles, supporting the Viscera and leg muscles (whose contractions promote venous return) are less efficient. Further, asteo-arthritis of knees, hips and lumbar-sacrel spine, apart from that in feet, are more common in the obese than with the non-obese, the latter are by no means immune to such disorders.

4. Disorders of Cardiovascular System (C.V.S.): Obesity puts extra weight and strain on heart, forcing it to work more than its capacity, as a result of which the heart also increases as the obesity and body-weight rise. Blood pressure (high) is a common problem, apart from substantial increase in cardiac output, blood volume and stroke volume. Main monster, which is responsible for causing many heart problems, is the thickening of blood vessels, narrowing of blood vessels, due to higher concentration of cholestoral. Ischalmia of heart is another complication of obesity which owes its origin to physical, inactivity apart from other factors.

5. Life expectancy: But for the side effects of obesity, the obese might have enjoyed longer span of life. 10-15% over-weight may not adversely affect much life span, but 30% increase in weight will reduce life span, and 40% increase will lead to 50% life span. The lower the weight (that weight within 10-15% increase is standard weight) the linger the life span.

6. Digestive complications: This again is a compound set of disorders like flatulence, burning sensation. Nausea or even vomiting, acidity, gastritis, gastralgia, gastrodynia, bilumy etc which are directly also related with over-eating and Physical inactivity. So the trio of overeating, physical inactivity and obesity should be handled judiciously and in a well thought out and planned way. There is, however, no room for laxity, indiscretion in food-intake, and physical activity. The obese should never adhere and resort to any so-called ‘Quick weight reducing’ methods which benefit none but the advertisers. First of all, single out the cause(s) which is /are considered to be responsible for adding to fat and , if the cause is attributed to any disease or other disorder, mere removal of the discerned cause, will pave way towards weight reduction. Further, never take any drug which claims to prove as a ‘wonder weight-reducing’ medicinal device. It has often been noticed that such drugs adversely affect appetite.

Obese people have plenty of time for eating, working, attending to functions and social gatherings, for useless and unproductive entertaining devices but, alas!, they have no time to devote to their health problems much less to shed down their weight or for any physical exertion. Even going to Gyms and so called Health Clubs have become a matter of social status and publicity but only a selected few go to such places to gain actual benefit. There is a mushroom growth of such health centres which are hardly of any benefit.

In order to get rid of many disorders, which often affect the obese and give rise to many other coincidental side-effects, should follow a course of dietary control and physical activity, in consultation with their dietician/doctor and also a person who could guide them, as to what exercise would be of use to them, keeping in view their physical status and health problems.


DIET (including carbohydrate metabolism)

Diet plays an important role in diabetes. It will depend on health status and also what amount of oral, drug(s) or insulin a patient takes. An attempt should be based on to a achieve a flat profile of glycaemia throughout the duration of 24 hours. By and large, dietary pattern is required to be modified quite often, in view of rise and fall of sugar levels in blood and urine. Once a dietary chart has been finalized, based on the condition of the patient, it should be closely and honestly followed by the patient. Any deviation, if desired or needed, should always be done in consultation with the attending physician, but never by the patient himself.