5 Things You May Not Have Known About Childhood Obesity
Most people know that obesity is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes. They may also know that it causes many types of cancer. It causes heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and death. All in all, obesity causes a lot of health problems. However, you might be surprised to know that obesity causes some other day to day effects.
1. Depression
Depression and obesity have a very tight connection. It’s theorized that many times obesity is caused by depression. However, it’s also known that obesity causes depression in many individuals. The reason is complicated. Often, people lose their self esteem and confidence when they’re obese. This can lead to depression. This is especially the case in teenagers and young children who may be facing teasing at school.
However, obesity also affects a person’s ability to get good sleep. It can actually cause many sleep disorders. Sleep apnea, for example, is often caused by obesity. When a person isn’t able to get quality sleep their brain chemistry can change. Poor sleep often leads to depression.
Additionally, obesity is often contributed to by inactivity. Activity and exercise release feel good hormones. These hormones just aren’t released in inactive people. The result can be a depression or a chronic bad mood.
2. Poor sleep and sleep disorders
Obesity also causes a number of sleep disorders. Sleep is crucial for normal physical and mental functioning. Poor sleep causes irritability and depression. It causes poor functioning. It also causes a weakened immune system. And poor sleep causes a person to gain weight. The good news is that simply getting seven hours of sleep each night can make a world of difference.
3. Poor complexion.
Obesity affects metabolism. It also affects hormone levels and organ functioning. Specifically, it can cause poor liver function or fatty liver disease. When your liver isn’t functioning well your complexion can pay the price. It can become yellowed. You can break out with acne. You can even suffer skin infections due to a weakened immune system.
4. Hair and nails.
An obese body is struggling to function optimally. This means that several functions are ignored to take care of the major functions like your heart and lungs. Quite quickly you may notice that your hair changes. It may start to fall out. It may change in texture and become course and brittle. Your nails may also become brittle and yellow. This is due to a weakened immune system and poor liver function.
5. Decreased sexual interest and function.
Libido and sexual function can be drastically impaired in obese people. In fact, many obese people find it extremely difficult to get pregnant. This is because the hormone levels are imbalanced. Fat cells produce hormones. They also inhibit balanced hormone production. Your desire to have sex will decrease. If you’re trying to have children you may also struggle with fertility problems. Finally, many obese women suffer from gynecological problems like ovarian cysts and endometriosis.
Obesity causes a number of health problems. They range from acne and low libido to depression and death. If you’re struggling with obesity, there’s help. You can regain your health and vitality.
