In the past half-century, obesity has been an epidemic in the developed world. With over 1.5 billion people reported being overweight, about 300 million women are now considered to be clinically obese.
Being obese (adiposity) creates major health issues not only for patients but also for families and communities. They have to carry the burden of treating the underlying care disorders, often for a substantial portion of the public health budget. Obesity has a strong effect on women’s reproductive health.
Evidence of the adverse impact of obesity on women’s health is compelling and unquestionable. Obesity, specifically abdominal obesity, is central to metabolic syndrome and is closely linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women.
Obese women are especially prone to diabetes. And diabetes, in turn, places them at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity greatly increases the risk of many major cancers in women, especially postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer.
People who are obese are at greater risk of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity also adversely impacts both pregnancy and fertility.
Maternal obesity during pregnancy is also at risk for both the mother and the infant. Adverse maternal results linked with obesity show elevated risk of premature miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypertensive pregnancy conditions, and gestational proteinuric hypertension with multi-system implications.
Pregnancy is more likely to be extended. Whereas labor is more likely to be difficult to require surgical induction, resulting in an elevated risk of infection, thrombo-embolism, and debilitation.
Overweight and obesity are correlated with high mortality from all causes in both men and women. And the risk of death increases with rising weight. The twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes need not only adjustments in diet and lifestyle but also adjustments in the policy, physical and social atmosphere and cultural norms.
Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4286855/
