Obesity – the culprit causing more than 200 diseases

On October 25, Doctor II Truong Thi Vanh Khuyen, Endocrinology – Diabetes Unit, Tam Anh Weight Loss Center, said the above information, adding that obesity is caused by many causes such as diseases and disorders. endocrine, unhealthy lifestyle and nutrition, psychological problems.

“Obesity is also the culprit causing more than 200 different diseases,” Doctor Khuyen said, explaining that adipose tissue is mainly composed of fat cells that appear everywhere such as under the skin, in internal organs (fat cells). visceral), in bone cavities (bone marrow fat). Excess adipose tissue increases systemic inflammation, leading to insulin resistance, metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, impaired immunity, and overweight and obesity. Obese people with lots of belly fat, high blood triglyceride levels, family history of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes… have a higher risk of disease than normal.

Cardiovascular is a common disease in obese people. 65-78% of obese and overweight cases have primary hypertension, which means the cause cannot be determined, according to Dr. Khuyen. Some studies show that hypertension is related to excess body fat, which stimulates and affects the Renin – Angiotensin – Aldosterone system. This is a hormone system that regulates blood pressure, electrolyte balance, causes insulin resistance, and changes in kidney structure and function. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

The structure and function of the heart can also be affected by too much visceral fat. Excess fat and long-term blood sugar disorders cause atherosclerosis. Many hormones secreted by adipose tissue can lead to a pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic state, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and sudden death. “People with normal weight but too much visceral fat are also at risk,” Dr. Khuyen said.

Both It is also a common disease in obese people, due to increased levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids in the blood. Accumulation of fat in the liver leads to dysfunction of adipose tissue, impairing adipocytokine production, promoting an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and long-term fatty liver.

Obese people often have lipid metabolism disorders, making it difficult for the body to use and metabolize fat. When the liver cannot effectively perform this task, fat is stored in liver cells, increasing the risk of fatty liver. Without active treatment, the patient can develop hepatitis, irreversible cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Body fat accumulation also affects hormones, causing a variety of metabolic abnormalities and diseases, including insulin resistance, hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, and β-cell dysfunction (including has pancreatic beta cells with the function of secreting insulin)… It is the above factors that cause the development of endocrine diseases, typically type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese people.

Also, sick musculoskeletal occurs because excess fat increases the load on joints, changes body composition, increases adipokines (cytokines produced in adipose tissue cells) causing inflammation in the systemic circulatory system. Obesity also triggers fibrosis in various organs and tissues, including those related to joints, which can lead to the development of osteoarthritis.

The mechanisms that cause inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight people are factors that cause sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, depression, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer…

“Treatment of overweight and obesity not only helps with simple weight loss but also helps reduce visceral fat and repel many diseases,” Dr. Khuyen said, adding that a 5-15% weight loss in about 6 months brings Many benefits, prevention of complications due to overweight and obesity. People with BMI greater than 35 kg/m2 can consider losing 20% ​​of their body weight for better health.

Doctor Khuyen recommends that obese people go to a facility that specializes in treating this disease. The doctor will advise on simple exercise, proper nutrition, and safe and effective weight loss. Obese patients who successfully lose weight need regular check-ups to prevent weight regain and control underlying diseases.

Dinh Tien

*Patient’s name has been changed