According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), Obesity is a complex chronic disease which is defined by excessive fat accumulation that can be harmful to health.
This can cause an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, can also affect bone health and reproduction and increases the risk of certain Types of cancer. It also influences aspects of quality of life such as sleep or movement.
Both the obesity as The overweight They are a consequence of an imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity, says WHO.
Among the repercussions that this condition has for health is the damage caused to the backbone. “The importance of the column in our body is immense not only because it gives us the support of the upper trunk and lets us move, but also protects the spinal cord and all the nerve roots that send information so that our body functions,” explains Max Guzmán, orthopedist and traumatologist.
According to the specialist, the negative impact of obesity lies mainly in excess mass at the top of the body, since this increases direct understanding in the column. “By increasing abdominal fat, the center of gravity moves forward increased the load on the intervertebral discs,” he says.
As for the spine, Guzmán ensures that the damage caused by obesity is concentrated in the facet joints (located in the upper part of the column) and on the vertebral discs (structures found in each vertebra of the column). These are the causes of different types of pain in general, adds the expert.
“As the main cause is obesity, its control is essential but must be handled by a nutrition professional since we all have different metabolisms,” Guzman suggests. It also points out that a pain painting is already established, it is essential to consult a specialist to have an accurate diagnosis of the cause of pain. “Remember that the lumbago (pain in the low back of the back) is the clinical manifestation of something else,” he recalls.
Nutritionist Evelyn Michelle Paniagua says that to handle obesity it is necessary to “adopt a balanced diet, increase physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle.” This implies, says Paniagua, consuming a variety of nutritional foods, avoiding empty calories, always staying active and seeking the support of a nutrition professional to have sustainable changes.
According to Paniagua, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and low fats in fat.
- Decrease the consumption of processed foods, rich in saturated fats, sugars and sodium.
- Eat in smaller dishes and avoid repeating the portions.
- Plan foods and prioritize healthy options.
- Drink abundant water to keep hydrated, thus avoiding the consumption of sugary drinks.
As a specialist in the bone system treatment, Guzmán adds other recommendations:
- Consult with professionals for the good health of the column
- Constantly monitor weight increases, perform flexibility exercises and column strengthening
- Consult with a physiotherapist
- Take care of our column in different areas of life: work, sport, routine, etc.
- Make active breaks and strengthen muscles
- Maintain the mobility and normal position of our column at all times