5 Ways Your Weight Is Impacting Your Health

More people in the United States carry excess pounds than those who don’t. If you’re among them, losing that weight may help more than your waistline.

While an unhealthy body weight isn’t necessarily a direct cause of health issues, it can serve as a contributing factor or sign that positive change is in order. Here’s the good news: Improving your weight control can benefit your overall wellness significantly. 

Jeffery Tun, MD, with offices in Midtown East, Forest Hills, and the Queens neighborhoods in New York City, is pleased to diagnose and treat weight-related issues so you can better thrive on multiple levels.

Here are five problematic ways your weight may be impacting your health:

1. You’re lacking vital nutrients

Being underweight or overweight can lead to low levels of nutrients your body needs. If you eat too little, you can easily develop a deficiency of iron or omega-3 fats, for example, even if the foods you do eat are nutritious. 

And because nutritious foods tend to make weight control easier, thanks to aspects like high fiber content — which promotes appetite control — a low-nutrient, high-calorie diet can lead to both excess pounds and a lack of essential nutrients. 

2. You’re dealing with sexual dysfunction

A body weight that’s outside of your healthy weight range may also impact your sexual health. Being too light or heavy, for example, increases your risk of erectile dysfunction. Eating disorders and obesity are also linked with low libido, due to factors like poor circulation, exhaustion, hormonal imbalances, and poor body image. 

3. You have heart disease risk factors

If you’re overweight or obese, your body requires more blood in order to get enough oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. To meet those needs your heart has to work harder, which leads to increased blood pressure. And once you have high blood pressure, you’re also at a heightened risk for serious additional issues, such as heart attack and diabetes.

4. Your sleep and energy levels are suffering

Getting too little restful sleep each night can both fuel and stem from weight problems. Getting fewer than 6-7 hours of nightly sleep, for example, is linked with weight gain. 

When your body and brain are exhausted, your appetite may increase in an attempt to give you more fuel to run on. Meanwhile, as you feel sluggish or unable to exercise, your metabolism can slow down as your weight goes up.

Restrictive dieting and low body weight are also linked with sleep difficulties, such as insomnia. And without enough food and nutrients, you’re likely to feel exhausted during the day.

5. You’re experiencing joint pain

When you carry excess pounds, the added weight puts unhelpful strain on your joints. In fact, being merely 10 pounds overweight puts an added 15-50 pounds worth of pressure on your knees alone. As a result, being overweight or obese raises your risk of osteoarthritis (OA), a common disease that stems from wear-and-tear on your joints over time.

Turning your weight problems around

If you’re struggling with weight control, improved lifestyle measures — such as increased exercise, a healthier diet, and improved sleep habits — can go far. But losing weight on your own is seldom easy.

Our team at Jeffery Tun, MD can provide guidance and support to help you reach your weight goals for better health. If you’re a good candidate, we may recommend a prescription weight loss medication to keep your hunger pangs at bay throughout the process.

To learn more about weight-related health problems or to get the care you need, call one of our offices or request an appointment through our website today.