Did you know that more women are overweight or obese in South Africa than any other African country? According to the latest South African Demographic and Health Survey, half of South African women are overweight by the age of 20 and, by the age of 45, this figure reaches an alarming 82%. But why is this so concerning? What does being overweight do to your body and what impact does it have on your health? Dr Joanne Leach, a Cape Town-based GP, sheds some light.
“Being overweight or obese increases your risk of multiple health conditions,” says Dr Leach. “The short list includes hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, certain cancers (including liver, colon, kidney and pancreatic cancer), osteoarthritis, fertility problems and sleep problems.” In total, Leach says that there are around 50 possible health issues related to obesity that affect everything from your brain to your circulation and your skeleton.
“The mental and social pain of being overweight is also important to consider,” adds Dr Leach. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience anxiety and depression as a result of changes to their brain chemistry, she says, as well as psychological and social perceptions (especially in the western world) that link beauty to thinness.
There are hormonal impacts, too. “If you are not overweight, the hormone leptin tells you that you are full and that you should stop eating,” explains Dr Leach. “If you’re overweight, however, your body tends to store higher levels of leptin. This means that you can become desensitised to leptin’s signals and are therefore more likely to overeat. Insulin is another very important hormone, and high levels of insulin in the body can increase the storage of fat.”
How do you know if you weigh too much?
A good place to start is to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which can be done by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (BMI = kg/m2). If you need help, there are lots of online calculators available. A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy, but if you’re over the 25.0 mark, it’s time to start making some serious decisions about your health.
Where do you start if you want to lose weight?
The amount of weight loss research and advice available can be pretty overwhelming. What’s important is that you find an approach that works for you and then stick to it. As a starting point, try and reduce the amount of processed foods, refined carbohydrates and sugars you eat, and exercise a little more. You might want to speak to your GP, a nutritionist or a personal trainer to help you on your journey.
While it might seem daunting at first, losing weight not only improves your physical health, but your emotional and mental health, too. It’s all part of living a longer, healthier, more fulfilled life – and now is a great time to start.
Sources:
- Health24: http://www.health24.com/News/Public-Health/almost-70-of-sa-women-obese-study-finds-20170519 and http://www.health24.com/Diet-and-nutrition/News/nejm-obesity-study-shocking-results-20170612
- NIDDK: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight
- Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-excess-weight-affects-your-health.htm
Diabetes Canada: https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/weight-management/body-mass-index-bmi-calculator
