The concern for obesity is justified. Concern is not only related to the appearance of the individual, but most importantly related to the affected multiple organ system. Most of the major organ systems from head to toe are affected by obesity.

Starting from the mind [emotion], there are psychosocial influences such as inferiority and depression. There are also nervous system problems – pseudo-tumors. This is a process that affects the brain and seems to be a tumor, but it is not. Fortunately, this is reversible.

In the chest, the lung system is damaged, leading to asthma attacks and exercise intolerance. Physiological changes in the cardiovascular system include dyslipidemia [hyperlipidemia and triglycerides], hypertension, chronic inflammation, and endothelial [endothelium] dysfunction, leading to changes in endothelial function, decreased vasodilation, and a pro-inflammatory state. Endothelial dysfunction "is associated with most forms of cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes and chronic renal failure" [Endemann & Schiffrin, 2004].

Glomerular sclerosis [the scar of the tiny blood vessels of the kidney, the glomerulus, and the functional unit of filtering urine from the blood in the kidney [WebMD]] affects the kidney system.

The endocrine system consists of glands that produce and secrete hormones that regulate the body's growth, metabolism [physical and chemical processes of the body], and sexual development and function. Hormones are released into the bloodstream and may affect one or several organs [emedicine health] throughout the body. The endocrine system is closely related to the nervous system and does not escape the destruction of obesity like insulin resistance, the incidence of type 2 diabetes and precocious puberty.

The effects of obesity on the gastrointestinal system are gallstones and steatohepatitis [inflammation of the liver caused by fat accumulation].

The musculoskeletal system encounters several problems, including a sliding femoral condyle [this is a hip problem if the epiphysis [growth] of the femur [thigh bone] slides off the hip ball]; Blount's disease A growth disorder of the tibia [tibia] in which the calf turns inward, similar to MedlinePlus; and excessive internal rotation [flat foot, or a phenomenon that occurs when the arch begins to flatten over time].

All of these disturbances in multiple organ systems can have serious negative health outcomes for obese individuals. Prevention is better than cure, but the good news is that obesity is a reversible disease process.

Submitted by: Monica McKenzie

Obesity affects multiple organ systems was originally published on Spring