Most of us have grown up being aware of the importance of staying healthy, and understand that doing so encompasses many different aspects. From drinking enough water to staying active, keeping healthy can help us live longer, happier lives. An important part of being healthy is maintaining a ‘healthy weight’. From conversations about balanced diets at school and at home, to being encouraged to exercise regularly, weight management is a topic that comes up frequently in our daily lives. But why is it important?
Reducing the risk of future health conditions
Your weight might just feel like a measurement, but it’s directly linked to your risk of developing long-term health conditions. Too much extra weight can mean that you’re more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and some cancers, according to the World Health Organisation. This isn’t just applicable to people who are classed as obese – the risk is raised for everyone who is slightly overweight too. This is because excess fat raises your blood pressure, meaning your body has to work harder to get the blood to your cells.
On a day-to-day level, you’re likely to experience joint and back pain, as well as feeling tired if you’re overweight. This can make it harder to exercise, which in turn can lead to more weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight can remove the need to actively lose weight.
Mental health
One of the benefits of exercise is the mood boost that comes with it, thanks to the endorphins that flow around your body when you get moving. Additionally, you may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment for having challenged yourself. Unfortunately, as we’ve mentioned, being overweight can make it harder to be physically active. As a result, people who are overweight may struggle with their mental health, and may experience long-term conditions such as depression. In turn, this can trigger weight gain, creating a vicious cycle.
Sleep
You might not realise it, but your weight can directly affect how well you sleep at night. Being obese can increase your risk of getting sleep apnea, a condition that means you stop and start breathing throughout the night. This is because excess fat in your neck literally blocks your upper airway whilst you’re sleeping – plus, excess abdominal fat can decrease your lung volume, due to compression in your chest wall.
Furthermore, people who are overweight may experience high blood sugar levels, which can make it harder to drop off at night, or increase the amount of times you wake up to go to the toilet. All of this means that you may feel sleepier in the daytime – but napping can also lead to poor sleep at night, creating another problematic circle.
Keep yourself healthy
It’s clear that your weight is far more than a number on a scale – it’s a direct indicator of your current and future health and wellbeing. Whilst that doesn’t mean that you have to stay in peak physical condition your whole life, it is important to to prioritise healthy habits such as eating well and exercise in your daily routine. That way, you can stay well and live the life you deserve.
