Obesity is a chronic disease characterised by excess body fat, resulting from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. This public health problem has been on the rise globally, including in Portugal, where more than 65% of the population lives with excess weight or obesity.
How do overweight and obesity affect health?
Obesity is associated with various comorbidities that compromise quality of life and increase mortality. The main complications include
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Obesity is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Type 2 diabetes: Excess adipose tissue contributes to insulin resistance, facilitating the development of this condition.
- Sleep Apnoea: The accumulation of fat in the neck area can obstruct the airways during sleep, causing breathing interruptions.
- Osteoarticular Diseases: Excessive weight overloads the joints, leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis.
- Certain Types of Cancer: Obesity is correlated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colon and pancreatic.
Obesity and the Economy: How Much Does Excess Weight Cost?
The economic burden of obesity is substantial, reflected in direct and indirect costs:
- Direct costs: This includes medical costs for treatment, hospitalisation and medication. In Portugal, the treatment of obesity represents approximately 13 million euros.
- Indirect costs: They include lost productivity due to absenteeism, early retirement and early mortality.
It is estimated that overweight will be responsible for 92 million deaths in the countries of the world over the next three decades. OECD, highlighting the economic and social impact of this condition.
How Excess Weight Affects Daily Life
In addition to the health and economic implications, obesity has significant social consequences:
- Stigma and Discrimination: Individuals with obesity often face prejudice, affecting their self-esteem and mental health.
- Access to employment: The associated stigma can limit job opportunities and career progression.
- Quality of Life: The physical and psychological limitations imposed by obesity reduce participation in social and recreational activities.
Factors Contributing to Obesity
Obesity is a multifactorial condition, influenced by:
- Inadequate Eating Habits: Excessive consumption of foods high in calories, sugars and fats.
- Sedentary lifestyle: The lack of regular physical activity contributes to the positive energy balance.
- Genetic factors: Genetic predisposition can increase susceptibility to obesity.
- Social Determinants: Socio-economic conditions influence access to healthy food and opportunities for physical exercise.
How to Prevent and Treat Excess Weight
Tackling obesity requires multidisciplinary strategies:
- Food education: Promoting healthy eating habits from an early age.
- Encouraging Physical Activity: Create environments that facilitate exercise, such as parks and sports facilities.
- Public Policy: Implement measures to restrict the commercialisation of unhealthy foods and encourage nutritious options.
- Psychological support: Offering support to deal with emotional issues related to food and body image.
The Way to Fight Obesity and Promote Health
Obesity represents a complex challenge that affects multiple dimensions of society. Its repercussions on public health, the economy and social well-being emphasise the urgency of effective and sustainable interventions. It is imperative that governments, health professionals and society in general collaborate to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce the associated stigma and implement policies that mitigate the contributing factors to this global epidemic.
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