SABINE
Obesity’s main cause resides in diet and sedentary lifestyles. However, it may be the result of an underlying condition.
To maintain a healthy weight, we must spend the same amount of energy we ingest. Our bodies have sensors that regulate and acknowledge how much energy we store as fat.
Obesity is the cause of many difficulties and numerous life threatening diseases.
According to the WHO, 12.8% of the total deaths worldwide are due to hypertension (HTN). In 2008, 40% of adults over the age of 25 had high blood pressure.
Hypertension is diagnosed when your systolic pressure is above 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is above 90 mmHg.
HTA complications are severe and dangerous. Once they occur treatment may be complicated because of irreversible damage caused.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to utilize energy found in food. In Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DM II), the body does not respond to insulin produced by the pancreas.
Hyperglycemia means there is a high content of glucose circulating in the blood. A person is diagnosed with DM II when their fasting glucose levels are above 126 mg/dL and when a random test shows glucose levels above 200 mg/dL.
Without proper treatment serious damages can be caused in the body. The most common ones are blindness, hypertension, retinopathy, nephropathy, amputations, foot ulcers and neuropathy.
Common Worldwide Diseases
The following is a list and summary of common diseases. For more information click on the title.
Dyslipidemia is the number one cause of atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fats within the artery walls. This disease occurs when there is a high content of cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol) or triglycerides, in the blood. It can also mean a decrease in HDL (good cholesterol) or a mixture of one or more of the above.
Dyslipidemia does not present symptoms unless it's causing any complications. It is identified with a blood test.
To prevent a rise in the LDL circulating in the blood, it is recommended to exercise and avoid eating food with high content of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Center for
Health, Wellness, Nutrition & Exercise
Costa Rica