what are the long term effects of excessive fat intake over the course of the lifespan?

by Kaleigh Hudson 7 min read

It is responsible for the highest mortality rate in children and has long-lasting physiologic effects, including an increased susceptibility to fat accumulation mostly in the central region of the body, lower fat oxidation, lower resting and postprandial energy expenditure, insulin resistance in adulthood, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and a reduced capacity for manual work, among other impairments.

These changes translate into increased risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death: Obesity and Coronary Artery Disease. Numerous studies have demonstrated a direct association between excess body weight and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Full Answer

What are the effects of excess fat on the body?

Dec 27, 2019 · Too much fat in your diet can cause a range of serious problems, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal issues. But dietary fat is also a necessary and healthy nutrient that supports a wide range of bodily functions.

What are the long term effects of obesity on the body?

People who have overweight or obesity*, compared to those with healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions. These include: 1,2,3. All-causes of death (mortality). High blood pressure (hypertension).

What are the short term effects of excess weight?

Feb 10, 2020 · Trans Fats and Your Organs. Trans fats have a detrimental effect on your heart. According to a report that was published in the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences in February 2014, trans fats contribute to heart disease by increasing LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing good cholesterol, or HDL.

What are the effects of fat on the brain?

In the long-term group, fat gain had no impact on long-term prognosis. Conclusions: Excessive fat accumulation during the early period of PD was associated with baseline unhealthy metabolic profiles, a higher mortality rate, and a higher PD failure rate, independent of …

How does excess weight affect your life?

Excess weight affects every aspect of life. Your body is constantly struggling to function even while you try to keep up with family, friends and coworkers. You end up feeling tired and achy because every one of your body’s systems is being overworked.

What happens when your body consumes more calories than it can use?

When a body consumes more calories than it can use, it begins converting those calories into fat. Each fat cell weighs very little – less than 1 microgram. Together, however, masses of them can burden your limbs and surround internal organs, making every action and process more difficult to complete. In the short term, excess weight often results in:

How does BMI affect health?

The medical community looks to an objective mathematical equation to assess health – a patient’s body mass index, or BMI. That figure embodies the relationship between height and weight—and often health: 1 When BMIs become higher than 25, they cross into the overweight zone. This is an area that increases the negative impact of weight on a person’s health. 2 When BMIs reach or breach 30, they enter the obese zone, an area prone to chronic medical conditions and diseases that become difficult to control.

What happens when you eat too much?

When a body consumes more calories than it can use, it begins converting those calories into fat. Each fat cell weighs very little – less than 1 microgram. Together, however, masses of them can burden your limbs and surround internal organs, making every action and process more difficult to complete. In the short term, excess weight often results in: 1 Shortness of breath during easy or routine activities 2 High cholesterol 3 High blood pressure 4 Prediabetes—blood glucose levels are elevated but not yet to diabetic levels 5 Joint pain and inflammation, especially in the knees 6 Aches, headaches, vague pains and physical discomfort 7 Indigestion and digestive problems 8 Infertility and complications during pregnancy like gestational diabetes and blood clots 9 Restricted mobility 10 Fatigue 11 Psychological distress 12 Physical incompatibility with surroundings

Why is obesity important?

Despite that fear, understanding obesity and its medical implications is vital to recovery . Excess weight limits our health, our longevity and our quality of life. For many, coming to clear terms with obesity has proven to be the crucial factor in empowering them to change their life’s path.

What are the effects of obesity?

The Mobility Factor. Perhaps the most devastating effect of obesity is the loss of mobility. If you can’t move, you burn fewer calories. Your metabolism slows, resulting in increased weight gain. Meanwhile each pound you carry exerts force on your bones.

How does obesity affect mobility?

Perhaps the most devastating effect of obesity is the loss of mobility. If you can’t move, you burn fewer calories. Your metabolism slows, resulting in increased weight gain. Meanwhile each pound you carry exerts force on your bones.

What are the health effects of obesity?

The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity 1 All-causes of death (mortality) 2 High blood pressure (Hypertension) 3 High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia) 4 Type 2 diabetes 5 Coronary heart disease 6 Stroke 7 Gallbladder disease 8 Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint) 9 Sleep apnea and breathing problems 10 Many types of cancer#N#external icon 11 Low quality of life 12 Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders 4,5 13 Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning 6

Does losing weight help with diabetes?

If you are overweight, losing some weight could help you better manage your diabetes. Obesity trends, economic consequences, state-based programs and other resources for the health professional. *Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

How does excess fat affect obesity?

While the body needs some fat to survive, excess fat and carbohydrates intake can speed up the development of obesity. The extra calories are hard to burn because they are metabolized into glucose. Your body will use what it needs and then store the rest in the form of fat. This increase of glycogen in your muscles and liver quickly builds up and you can become extremely overweight if the fat consumption occurs on a regular basis. Obesity is a contributing factor to many life-threatening diseases like breast cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.

What happens if you eat too much fat?

1. Raised Risk of Atherosclerosis. Effects of too much fat in your diet include an increased chance of atherosclerosis. Because the wrong type of fat can raise your cholesterol levels, your artery walls can thicken.

Does fat increase cholesterol?

Effects of too much fat in your diet include an increased chance of atherosclerosis. Because the wrong type of fat can raise your cholesterol levels, your artery walls can thicken. The presence of low-density lipoprotein in your system further complicates matters by restricting flow of blood to tissue.

Why is it so hard to burn fat?

The extra calories are hard to burn because they are metabolized into glucose. Your body will use what it needs and then store the rest in the form of fat.

Does eating too much fat affect the brain?

Studies are showing that the damage may be irreversible. Dairy fats run a higher risk of affecting the brain because of the higher fat content in terms of volume. 5.

Does eating too much saturated fat affect memory?

Research has found that people who consume too much saturated fat can develop memory loss. The extra calories affect synapses flexibility, as well as open cells to damaging free radicals. Oxidative effects on the brain from bad fat consumption can also affect your cognitive abilities.

Can too much fat cause cancer?

Consumption of too much fat can cause havoc on your digestive system. Bad fats are hard to digest and take longer for your body to process. This can cause heartburn and indigestion, eventually leading to acid reflex. The extra stomach acid can lead to esophageal damage and even cancer because of the damage it causes when it spills up into your esophagus.

Is saturated fat bad for you?

Saturated fat is one of the most controversial fats around. While most experts agree trans fats are bad, there seems to be a divided camp on saturated fats. However, recent research shows that saturated fat might not be as bad as previously thought.

Which fatty acids are anti-inflammatory?

While omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and promote health, omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in the highest concentrations in vegetable oils, actually contribute to heart disease and promote inflammation in your brain and your lungs, especially when eaten in excess.

Is there a gray area in fat?

Although there are still some fats, like trans fats, that you should avoid as much as possible, there are some gray areas when it comes to the other types of fats, even saturated fat.

Does trans fat affect your heart?

But even though the connection to heart disease might be the most well-known negative effect of trans fats, they also affect your brain.

Does trans fat increase LDL?

According to a report that was published in the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences in February 2014, trans fats contribute to heart disease by increasing LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing good cholesterol, or HDL.

When will trans fats be removed from food?

The good news is that, due to the overwhelming science about the adverse health effects of trans fats, the FDA mandated that all food manufacturers remove partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fats, from their packaged food items by January 2021.

Is polyunsaturated fat healthy?

Polyunsaturated Fats and Your Organs. Unsaturated fats are often deemed the "healthy fats," but there are two classes — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. Polyunsaturated fats can be broken down further into omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids — and it's important to know the difference.

Why are fats and carbs important?

Both fats and carbs are important for your health, since carbohydrates are an important source of fuel and the sole usable source of energy for your brain, and fats provide energy, aid in nutrient absorption and keep you feeling full between meals. But, like most things in life, moderation is key. Too many carbs and fats can negatively affect your ...

How does eating too many carbs affect you?

One of the more immediate effects of eating too many fats and carbs is the potential for weight gain. Both nutrients are a concentrated source of calories: carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, while fats contain 9 calories per gram. Very carb- and fat-rich foods tend to be high in calories even in moderate serving sizes, and eating overly-large portions of these foods can cause you to gain fat. Eating 3,500 calories more than you burn corresponds to roughly one pound of fat – and even an extra 100 or 200 calories a day can lead to weight gain over time.

Can eating too many carbs cause weight gain?

Weight Gain and Obesity. One of the more immediate effects of eating too many fats and carbs is the potential for weight gain. Both nutrients are a concentrated source of calories: carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, while fats contain 9 calories per gram. Very carb- and fat-rich foods tend to be high in calories even in moderate serving ...

How many calories are in a gram of carbs?

Both nutrients are a concentrated source of calories: carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, while fats contain 9 calories per gram. Very carb- and fat-rich foods tend to be high in calories even in moderate serving sizes, and eating overly-large portions of these foods can cause you to gain fat. Eating 3,500 calories more than you burn ...

Does margarine cause heart disease?

Saturated and trans fats – chemically-altered fats found in margarine and some baked goods – both increase the level of harmful cholesterol in your bloodstream, which contributes to heart disease over time.

Does eating too much sugar cause tooth decay?

Regularly overeating carbs and fats can have other negative health effects, too. Eating carbohydrates throughout the day, especially sugar, contributes to tooth decay. A high-sugar diet also interferes with your body's normal blood sugar controls, which contributes to diabetes, and trans fats trigger insulin resistance, a step toward developing diabetes.

Does high sugar cause diabetes?

A high-sugar diet also interferes with your body's normal blood sugar controls, which contributes to diabetes, and trans fats trigger insulin resistance, a step toward developing diabetes.

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Defining Obesity

Immediate Effects of Obesity

  • When a body consumes more calories than it can use, it begins converting those calories into fat. Each fat cell weighs very little – less than 1 microgram. Together, however, masses of them can burden your limbs and surround internal organs, making every action and process more difficult to complete. In the short term, excess weight often results in: 1. Shortness of breath during easy o…
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The Mobility Factor

  • Perhaps the most devastating effect of obesity is the loss of mobility. If you can’t move, you burn fewer calories. Your metabolism slows, resulting in increased weight gain. Meanwhile each pound you carry exerts force on your bones. With obesity, excess weight exerts force on more than your knees. Every part of the skeletal system bears more weight than it was intended to handle. Mean…
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Long-Term Effects of Obesity

  • Over time, short-term effects become chronic conditions and diseases. Lack of mobility only adds to the severity of problems like: 1. Hypertension, arteriosclerosis and heart disease 2. Diabetes mellitus 3. Venous stasis disease and venous ulcers 4. Stroke 5. Osteoarthritis 6. Pulmonary conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 7...
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When Diet and Exercise Aren’T Enough

  • Sometimes, diet and exercise just aren’t enough – especially once medical issues decrease your mobility. When BMI is excessive, and your health hangs in the balance, surgical weight loss procedures may be able to help. These are approved medical procedures that have demonstrated repeated success in helping men and women lose weight and resolve serious, chronic health iss…
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