Why being over weight matters

WHY BEING OVERWEIGHT MATTERS

Obesity is the accumulation of abnormal or excessive fat that may interfere with the maintenance of an optimal state of health.

Everyone needs some body fat for energy, heat insulation, and other body functions. But having too much can lead to serious health problems.

During menopause studies show a higher incidence of vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and serious discomfort in women who are overweight. Perimenopause, and the hormone storm that comes with us can cause many woman may gain weight. If we are already overweight at this point we are already in trouble. This weight gain also puts us at greater risk of metabolic disease such as heart disease and diabetes. One reason for this increased rush is that oestrogen plays an important part in maintaining the harmony between good and bad cholesterols - as oestrogen diminishes the balance tends to favour LDL (the bad cholesterol).

Bone loss occurs as we move through menopause. Being obese also puts you at greater risk of osteoporosis. Being overweight tend to also put us at greater risk of trips and falls and therefore at higher risk of broken bones.

As weight increases glucose and insulin levels can also increase putting you at higher risk of diabetes.

Prior to menopause fat tends to be deposited around hips, thighs and bum but as oestrogen declines we see a general, all over increase in total body fat and more so around your middle. This visceral, abdominal fat that surrounds your organs is far more dangerous than subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is more metabolically active leading to insulin resistance & diabetes (don’t forget Alzheimers is now classed as Type 3 diabetes).

The excess of macronutrients in the adipose (fat) tissues stimulates them to release inflammatory mediators. This increase can lead to inflammatory diseases such as…allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, coeliac disease, hepatitis, bowel disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriousis, fatty liver disease, alzheimer’s, parkinson’s and cancer. Being obese also affect your immune system making you more suspetable to common colds, infections and COVID!