Having a high body mass index, BMI for short, can be detrimental to your health, and several studies believe it can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease or high blood sugar. In this article, we will discuss the dangers of having a high BMI.
What Is BMI?
Body mass index is a measurement of your relative height or weight. Its calculation determines if a person is underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. BMI is categorized into four main parts for adults if you are below 18.5, you are underweight; if you are between 18.5 to 24.9, you are standard; if you are 25.0 to 29.9, you are overweight; and if you are 30.0 and above, then you are obese. BMI can be used to assess your risk of a particular disease.
Dangers of a High BMI
Stroke and Heart Disease
When you are obese, there is a high chance that you have high blood pressure and a high level of cholesterol, and having these two conditions can lead to heart disease or stroke. Try to lose some weight, as a study shows that a small amount of weight loss has benefits.
Type II Diabetes
One of the significant risk factors for type II diabetes is obesity. People who are obese are said to be six times more likely to have high blood sugar. Obesity has different treatments, and if you have Type II Diabetes, try to lose some weight; it will help control your blood sugar levels.
Cancer
Scientists have linked some types of cancer to obesity. In the US, over 684000 cases of cancer have been linked to obesity each year. As your BMI increase, so does your risk of developing cancer.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease and gallstones are prevalent with obesity. However, rapid weight loss can make you develop more gallstones.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that primarily affects the knees, back, and hips. Having extra weight puts more pressure on these joints; losing weight can ease the pressure and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is inflammatory arthritis. It usually happens when too much uric acid is in your blood, and the extra acid turns into crystals that go to your joints, which can cause pain. American College of Rheumatology says that weight loss can be a part of gout treatment.
Sleep Apnea
Obesity can also lead to an obstructive sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Around forty-five percent of the people that are obese have obstructive sleep apnea.
