Obesity and the Immune System - Research Paper Example

Lifestyle Habits of Obesity and the Effects it has on the Body’s System and Functions s affiliation Lifestyle Habits of Obesity and the Effects it has on the Body’s System and Functions According to World Health Organization, obesity is the accumulation of excess weight in the body, which predisposes a patient to diseases such as diabetes. The Body Mass Index is the main formula used in classifying people as obesity. A person with obesity has a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 30. A health plan is necessary to address the rising cases of obesity in this region. The goal to conduct the plan remains to curb and halt the increasing cases of obesity in this region. The ultimate implementation of the plan is important in decreasing the resources the government utilizes in treating the disease conditions emanating from obesity(WHO, 2012). According to World Health Organization databases, the population of people with obesity had doubled since 1980. This alarming rate calls for immediate action. Moreover, in 2008, around 200 million men and 350 women had obesity signs. Two thirds of the world population lives in countries where the condition kills due to the maladies that accompany obesity resulting to chronic illnesses. However, despite all these facts, obesity is a preventable upon creating awareness on the preventable methods (WHO, 2012). There are numerous causes of obesity. The core cause is the imbalance between the calories consumption and calories breakdown. The affected population exhibits an increase in the intake of high-energy foods rich in fats. A decrease in physical activity resulting to sedentary lifestyle is a factor of consideration. These factors arise due to sudden changes in developmental patterns and poor policies in the health and other governmental departments(P. T. James, Leach, Kalamara, & Shayeghi, 2001). A team consists of all cadre of professionals in the hospital, who ranges from nurses, dietician, pharmacists, physicians and psychologists is necessary to address this trend. The team works in unity in coming up with an effective community diagnosis about obesity. The selected team works hand in hand to establish the number of cases diagnosed to be obesity through physical examination and critical evaluation. The team evaluates the epidemiologic data after a quick survey. A final program development is finally mandatory to take control of these rising incidences Obesity has many implications to the body systems. It is the core cause of non-communicable disease related to cardiovascular system such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and stroke. In addition to that, it predisposes one to musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, a painful and degenerative disease of the joints. Moreover, various forms of cancers such as endometrial cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer are closely associated with the pathophysiology of obesity(Bray, 2003). Obese children are also at risk of difficulties in breathing, hypertension, fracture and psychological results. Obesity and the immune system An obese person suffers a great risk of immune dysfunction. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity decreases cytokines production. Cytokines are a group of cells acting as intermediaries during an immune reaction. They are useful in signaling and cell communication therefore combating any infection. A compromise in the cytokines functioning results to an ease in pathogens entry in the body system. Obesity also alters the functioning of monocytes and lymphocytes hence a decreased response in immunity functioning. The person becomes easily susceptible to common disease. The natural killer cells functioning remains impaired. The macrophages and dendritic functioning slows down. There is an overall decrease in antigen antibody response. Obesity and circulatory system A rise in Body Mass Index affects the functioning of the arteries and veins. There is an increase in fat deposits in the lumen of the arteries leading to increased narrowing. The fats streaks deposited impede blood flow from macro vessels to micro vessels. The situation is even worse when the coronary arteries are affected. The person may suffer from a sudden heart attack and dysrhythmias. Acute myocardial infarction occurs because of severe blockage of blood flow in the coronary vessels. The myocardial tissue is unable to receive enough oxygen and nutrients to secure adequate contraction (Ahima, 2011). An increase in the cholesterol levels also raises the risks of heart failure, hypertension and peripheral vascular diseases occurrences. The decrease in the lumen of the arteries because of fat deposition implies that the ventricles have to contract more in the presence of increased peripheral resistance. This is likely to cause hypertension. The increased pressure compromise the amount of blood ejected from the ventricles to the other body parts, resulting to accumulation of blood in the heart. This predisposes the person to peripheral and pulmonary edema resulting to heart failure. The person therefore presents with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, anxiety, sweating and pain on exertion. Obesity and reproductive system There is a close association between fat deposits around the abdominal region and fertility levels in both men and women. Male obesity is related to a decreased production of testosterone, which in turn accounts for low androgen levels hence hypo-gonadism. Low levels of estrogens circulating in the body interfere with the process of sperms formation. Moreover, researchers have associated obesity with low levels of homocysteine and vitamin D both of which plays a core role in spermatogenesis. Men remain at a risk of erectile dysfunction (Ahima, 2011). Urogenital disorders are common among the obese women. Due to their heavy weight, urine continence remains a problem these women experience dribbling of urine unawares. In addition to that, they stand a greater risk in menstrual abnormalities, ovarian conditions and infertility. Obese pregnant women have more complications during the pregnancy duration. The rates of infant mortality are also high. The infants also experience varying degrees of birth defects such as spinal bifida (Van Eerden, 2011). Obesity and other body systems Obesity has many effects on the musculoskeletal system. The increased eight put a lot of strain on the body joints. This increases the probability of cartilages degeneration resulting to osteoarthritis. Other people also complain of back pain that is alleviated by rest. The risks of type 2 diabetes raises substantially because of an increase in resistance of the beta cells that respond to insulin. Metabolic syndrome involves a crisis that consists of high blood glucose, an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides level, which further puts the victim at a risk of type 2 diabetes. The obese people are furthermore predisposed to low self-esteem resulting to psychological torture. Decreased esteem may contribute to mental health illnesses and a decrease in sexual desire (Chan & Chen, 2009). Current trends in obesity prevention The World Health Organization has declared a fight against obesity in a bid to decrease the prevalence of diseases emanating from increased obesity. The trend is leading to a double burden disease whereby the non-communicable diseases tolls rise daily because of obesity. The health department encourages every person to make it a personal initiative to control the rising cases of obesity. One can consume a healthy diet with decreased fats and sugars. A regular physical activity per day is also beneficial. Most food industries have adopted a main role in promoting healthy lifestyles. This is through reducing the fat and salt contents in their processed foods. The physical exercises tools are also available to many people hence one can exercise at free will. The World Health Organization has encouraged all the governments to adopt the World Health Organization Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which encourages on the need to adopt healthy diets and frequent exercises (W. P. T. James, 2008). Many researches are in progress to come up with aspects that will facilitate further reduction in obesity case. The World Health Organization has also developed a 2008-2013 program to combat and control non-communicable diseases associated with obesity. This aids in increased prevention and surveillance of the diseases associated with obesity. References Ahima, R. S. (2011). Digging deeper into obesity. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 121, 2076–2079. doi:10.1172/JCI58719 Bray, G. A. (2003). Evaluation of obesity. Who are the obese? Postgraduate Medicine, 114, 19–27, 38. Chan, G., & Chen, C. T. (2009). Musculoskeletal effects of obesity. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 21, 65–70. doi:10.1097/MOP.0b013e328320a914 James, P. T., Leach, R., Kalamara, E., & Shayeghi, M. (2001). The worldwide obesity epidemic. Obesity Research, 9 Suppl 4, 228S–233S. doi:10.1038/oby.2001.123 James, W. P. T. (2008). WHO recognition of the global obesity epidemic. International Journal of Obesity (2005), 32 Suppl 7, S120–S126. doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.247 Van Eerden, P. (2011). Obesity in pregnancy. South Dakota Medicine : The Journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association, Spec No, 46–50. doi:10.3109/01443618809008804 WHO. (2012). WHO | Obesity and overweight. World Health Organisation Media Centre Fact Sheet No. 311. Read More