Obesity, sexual health and other health effects

Obesity has drawn the attention of many health specialists due to the harmful effects it brings. Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat. People who are 20 to 40 percent over their ideal weight are considered mildly obese, 40 to 100 percent over their ideal weight are considered moderately obese, and 100 percent over their ideal weight are considered severely obese. Body mass index, calipers, waist-hip ratio are some of the methods that are commonly used to measure body fat.

Obese people may be prone to health risks such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, certain types of ulcers, and diabetes and coronary heart disease. Recent medical studies reveal that obesity can also lead to low testosterone levels and hamper the sexual health of many men. Obesity is suggested to be a significant predictor of low testosterone levels. These studies add that gaining ten percent in appropriate Body Mass Index (BMI) can lead to decreased testosterone levels by about ten percent. Because of this, fat or overweight people can have up to 25 percent less total testosterone than their fit counterparts. In addition to this, obesity can lead to high blood pressure, a condition that usually has no obvious symptoms. High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels to harden and damage the lining of the blood vessels. Due to this development, less blood that carries oxygen and nutrients flows into the penis. Decreased blood flow can make it hard to get and keep erections. High blood pressure can also interfere with ejaculation and reduce libido. Many medicines used to treat high blood pressure can also have similar side effects.

Obesity can also increase the risk of developing various health conditions which may include the following:

arthritis and other orthopedic problems such as low back pain
hernias
acidity
adult asthma
high cholesterol levels
gallstones
irregular monthly periods and absence of menstruation (amenorrhea)
infertility and pregnancy complications
difficulty breathing
sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
skin disorders that develop due to bacterial breakdown of sweat and other cellular material in the thick folds of the skin

One of the probable causes of obesity is the high caloric content of diets coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. A study by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in February 2004 showed that Americans ate more calories than they did 30 years ago. The study found that from 1971 to 2004, American women increased their calorie intake from 1,542 calories per day to 1,877. Men, on the other hand, in the same time period, increased their calorie intake from 2,450 to 2,618.

With the increase in calorie intake, there was also a decrease in physical activity. However, less than 1/3 of adults get an adequate amount of exercise. In addition, 40% of adults in the United States do not engage in any physical activity while 43% of adolescents spend more than 2 hours in front of the television. It is recommended that people accumulate at least 30 minutes between adults and 60 minutes between children of moderate physical activity three times a week. They are recommended more to prevent weight gain or to lose weight.

Obese people who want to improve their sexual health and general well-being should exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Exercise is good for different people of all ages, genders, and weights. It is necessary to maintain general health and improve well-being. People who decide to include a regular physical activity program should consult their doctors and other health professionals for advice. This is important because many people tend to overtrain or undertrain, which can do more harm than good. Understanding healthy lifestyles and eating regimens can help people lose essential amounts of weight.