Common Symptoms of Obesity and How to Recognize them?

The symptoms of obesity go beyond excess body fat. People with obesity can experience skin problems, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and many more health issues.

Some symptoms may increase the risk of developing certain diseases and disorders. In some cases, these may be life-threatening or even fatal.

Obesity symptoms can include:

• Fatty tissue deposits ( that can be noticeable in the breast area).
• Stretch marks are on one’s hips and also on the back.
• Acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety skin around one’s neck and other areas).
• Shortness of breath with physical activity.
• Sleep apnea.
• Low self-esteem.
• Constipation.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Early puberty in biological females or delayed puberty in biological males.
• Orthopedic problems, like flat feet or dislocated hips.

Childhood obesity rates do vary between different groups.

Symptoms of morbid obesity

Morbid obesity is indeed of great concern in several developed countries around the world today.

• One’s 100 pounds over one’s optimal body weight.
• One’s body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher.
• One’s BMI is 35 or higher, and the person has high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Morbid obesity is also referred to as extreme obesity or class III obesity. It can indeed make it difficult to complete everyday activities like walking and breathing. It also raises the risk of several serious health conditions.

There are several underlying factors that can indeed contribute to obesity.

Genetic Factors

Early-onset obesity can, of course, develop in kids due to rare genetic disorders. These disorders do involve genes that tend to play a role in regulating appetite as well as energy expenditure.

Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors

Lifestyle factors  do increase the risk of obesity:

• Lack of physical activity.
• Not getting enough sleep.
• Unhealthy eating behaviors.
• Experiencing high amounts of stress.

Socioeconomic status is also another factor linked to obesity. Studies do show that people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have a higher BMI. For example, children belonging to lower-income families are more likely to have obesity than those in high-income households.

Diseases and conditions

Certain medical problems or health conditions can cause weight gain. They include:

• Hypothyroidism.
• Metabolic syndrome.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Cushing’s syndrome.
• Prader-Willi syndrome.
• Pregnancy.

Medications

Certain medications can also indeed contribute to weight gain. They include:

• Antidepressants.
• Antipsychotics.
• Birth control.
• Beta-blockers.
• Birth control.
• Glucocorticoids.
• Insulin.

Complications Related to Obesity

Obesity can contribute to many serious health disorders. Serious health complications that are more likely to occur with obesity include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease, is caused by the heart working harder to pump blood throughout one’s body.
• High cholesterol levels (fatty deposits that can block arteries), can indeed cause a stroke, a heart attack, and other complications.
• Type-2 diabetes is indeed directly linked to obesity in nearly 50% of cases.
• Some types of cancer are also associated with obesity in about 40% of cases.

Asthma symptoms lead to hospitalizations and medication usage.

Obese asthma is a unique type of asthma found only in a few people with obesity.

Kidney disease on account of kidney damage from chronic high blood pressure

• Osteoarthritis is caused by excess strain on one’s joints, bones, and muscles.
• Gallbladder disease does become 7% more likely with each step up on the BMI chart.
• Sleep apnea is caused by fat deposits in the neck and tongue that block airways.
• GERD, hiatal hernia, and heartburn from excess weight pushing on the valve that’s supposed to keep stomach contents out of the esophagus.

Conclusion

Obesity can occur in adults and children and causes symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain, among many others. Obesity can also indeed cause psychological problems, including low self-esteem and depression, due to social stigma.

The symptoms of obesity need to be addressed to maintain good health.