Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, and the blame can be placed on a number of things prevalent in our society. Among other factors, high-calorie and low-nutrition foods are readily available, our lifestyles are increasingly sedentary, and our fast-paced lives are contributing to heightened stress levels. All of these elements are contributing to a growing prevalence of obesity, and the health risks of obesity are both numerous and serious.
We’ve explained the health risks of obesity in parts one and two of this ongoing series, and we’ll continue on that topic in today’s post. If you’re interested in finding out what Men’s Vitality Center can do to help you lose weight, call our office at 520-399-6574 or get in touch with our men’s health experts through our website today! We offer a managed weight loss program that has helped hundreds of men in Arizona lose weight!
Joint Damage
Obesity places a significant amount of stress on the joints, particularly in the hips, knees, and feet. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation has reported that each pound of excess weight adds roughly four pounds of weight to the knees. This means that a person who is 50 pounds overweight is adding around 200 pounds of pressure to their knees! Moreover, excess weight contributes to inflammation throughout the body, and this effect can make damaged joints even more painful. Excess weight and arthritis thus have a cyclical effect: the inflammation caused by excess weight contributes to joint pain, and increased joint pain will make it more difficult to begin and maintain an active lifestyle. Our managed weight loss program can help you lose weight, even if you do struggle with persistent joint pain.
Cancer
The link between obesity and cancer is complex, and what we know about the link comes largely from observational studies, which are limited in their ability to directly attribute a cause to an observed effect. However, though it may be the case that obese cancer patients have a higher risk of cancer than non-obese patients to begin with, there is a substantial amount of evidence that high quantities of body fat can increase the likelihood of developing certain kinds of cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports that the following cancers (among many others) are strongly associated with high levels of body fat:
Liver Cancer
Obese patients are about twice as likely as non-obese patients to develop liver cancer, and this association is stronger in men than it is in women.
Pancreatic Cancer
Obese patients are roughly one-and-a-half times more likely than non-obese patients to develop pancreatic cancer.
Breast Cancer
Several studies have demonstrated that postmenopausal women who are obese are 20 to 40 percent more likely than non-obese women to develop breast cancer, and it is highly likely that obesity is a contributing factor to breast cancer in men as well.
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to extend your lifespan and improve your wellbeing. Don’t hesitate to contact our men’s health experts if you’re curious about how your weight may be affecting your health. Call Men’s Vitality Center at 520-399-6574 or through our website today to learn more about our managed weight loss program for men.
