Physical and Mental Health Consequences of Obesity in Women

Abstract

Obesity and overweight are major health concerns and the leading preventable cause of death in developed and developing countries. Obesity affects men and women differently due to biological, socioeconomic, cultural and country-specific gender-related disparities. This book chapter outlines obesity as a risk factor for physical diseases and mental health disorders in women. Obesity has been shown to contribute to the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, endometrial, gallbladder, oesophageal and renal cancer. In terms of reproductive health, obesity negatively affects both fertility and contraception. In addition, obesity is associated with early miscarriage, higher rates of caesarean section and high-risk obstetrical conditions, in addition to higher maternal and neonatal mortality rates, and congenital malformations. In terms of mental health, obesity is closely linked to depression, anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and sleep disorders. Socioeconomic, psychosocial and behavioural factors, factors associated with ageing, mechanisms related to the microbiome, gastrointestinal and vascular system, intracellular pathophysiology and metabolism in the body, hormones, adipocytokines and problems associated with medical treatment are important factors linking obesity with its negative consequences on physical and mental health.

The effect of home-based low-volume, high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and cardiometabolic health in women of normal body mass and those with overweight or obesity: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Excess weight gain or obesity is associated with concurrent increases in the incidence of hypertension, risk of type 2 diabetes, serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations, and cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk [5, 6]. Obesity is also associated with several diseases in women including certain cancers (including breast and colon) [7–9], depression and sleep disturbances [10, 11], as well as all-cause mortality [12–14]. Hence it is not surprising that lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss are still considered a cornerstone in the prevention and management of disease risk in women [15].…”

The Exercise Tendency in Woman with Obesity

“…Obesity is an independent risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Cancer such as breast and endometrial is also related to obesity [2], [5], [6].…”

“…Poor food choice, overeating, and reduced exercise are caused by depression, which contributes to obesity progression. Others factor-like poor socioeconomic status, low income, and experience of violence are risk factors for common mental health disorders especially in women, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia, which also promote obesity [2], [5].…”

Analyzing the impact of organic certification on product and sustainable attributes on the importance of organic food certification in Thailand: Mediating role of perceived benefits of organic food

“…Meanwhile, the consumption of organic food in Thailand remains low with the retail sales of just 24 US cents per capita in the year 2014; due to the low consumption rate of organic food, health issues are prevalent among Thailand consumers. Some of the common health issues are diabetes, obesity, stroke, cancer including cervical and gallbladder, and high blood pressure which are due to the consumption of unhealthy food (Weschenfelder, Bentley, & Himmerich, ).…”