Obesity: Types, Causes, and Health Risks
Obesity and its risks
Obesity is one of the most damaging health conditions affecting people today, and some nutritionists have started referring to it as an epidemic in recent years. In this article we'll look at the different types of obesity, the health risks linked to each one, and explain the somewhat less familiar concept of "hidden obesity."
Obesity is generally split into two basic types: gynoid (female-pattern) obesity and android (male-pattern) obesity. Someone with gynoid obesity tends to carry weight in the thighs and hips, along with a fuller chest. This pattern is somewhat less risky overall than android obesity, which typically presents with relatively slim legs and a large, protruding abdomen. Importantly, gynoid obesity isn't limited to women, and android obesity isn't limited to men — either sex can present with either pattern.
Gynoid-pattern obesity carries a higher risk of:
- osteoporosis
- gallstones
- infertility
- breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer
- osteoarthritis
- varicose veins
- cellulite
Android-pattern obesity is linked to a higher risk of:
- diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- colon cancer
- asthma
- erectile dysfunction
And that's not the full picture either — regardless of type, obesity also drives up blood pressure, puts extra strain on the heart and joints, and contributes to atherosclerosis.
Now, on to that idea of "hidden obesity." If you asked most people what an obese person looks like, they'd probably answer in one word, or maybe recite a formula for calculating ideal body weight. But it isn't quite that simple. It might surprise you that people with a fairly low body weight can still be obese in a meaningful sense. This shows up most often in young women who follow an aggressive, poorly informed diet, lose a large amount of muscle mass in the process, and end up with a body-fat percentage above 30% despite a relatively low number on the scale. This is what's known as hidden obesity, and it's typically the result of a lack of physical activity combined with poor-quality nutrition.