Millions of people all over the world are obese, and these numbers are growing. It is a true pandemic, therefore, and efforts have to be made to contain it. There are many disadvantages to being obese, which range from minor inconveniences to truly frightening ones. Let’s take a look at just five of the biggest disadvantages.
1. It Is Harder to Accomplish Your Goals
When you are obese, it is generally much harder to get what you want, whatever it is that you want. You will be less physically active, which means you can’t excel at sports. You will have frequent doctor’s appointments, which means you will have too much time off work to get that promotion. You will have lower self-esteem, which means it becomes harder to motivate yourself, to find love and more.
2. You Will Experience Social Problems
As much as we know that obesity is a global health problem, it is not socially acceptable to be obese. And perhaps it shouldn’t be, because this would make it even harder for people to motivate themselves to lose weight, even if it is through bariatric procedures. Unfortunately, obese people have fewer friends and are less likely to end up in a lasting, loving relationship.
3. You May Have Sexual Problems
There have been a number of studies that have demonstrated there is a clear link between sexual ineptitude and obesity. The obese often get less enjoyment from sex, have insufficient energy to engage in sex, have more difficulties in finding a partner and more.
4. You Are at Higher Risk of Depression
People who are obese are at much greater chance of being depressed. Some show it, some admit somewhat to it, some hide it. Either way, depression is a very serious mental illness that can lead to suicidal thoughts, self-harm and more. The fact that the obese have to deal with the other disadvantages of being obese means that they often end up in a vicious cycle, in which their depression gets worse and worse. And, since they are often socially isolated, it is all too easy for them to never get the help they need. Unfortunately, successful and attempted suicide rates alike are much higher in the obese.
5. Your Health Will Deteriorate
Everybody knows by now that being obese has some very serious health consequences. Just some of the illnesses you can develop as a result of obesity include:
• Hypertension, which has its own health dangers.
• Type 2 diabetes, which, again, can lead to various other problems.
• Fertility issues.
• Difficulty breathing, including asthma and sleep apneas.
• Heart problems, including heart attacks.
• An increased risk of strokes.
• High levels of cholesterol, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
• Cancer.
It is very important to understand just how serious these issues actually are. The reality is that obesity kills, albeit not directly. Nobody wants to die or, if you do, you are dealing with depression probably caused by obesity. Help is out there, make sure you get it.
Sarah L says
My best friend has many health problems with one of them being her weight.
Karen Glatt says
I am overweight and I have a really bad back with arthritis and it makes it hard for me to exercise. I watch what I eat and I eat healthy but at my age, it is hard to lose weight. I have gotten high blood pressure. IT is so important to do what we can to lose the weight.