OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Obesity generally describes an increase of fat cells in the body or an increase in their size. It can be caused by:  the amount and types of food you eat  the amount of physical activity you get  your genetics  your family history  the amount and quality of sleep you get Obesity is a cause for concern as it increases your risk of many health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. It’s worth noting that the effects of weight discrimination can also contribute to negative health effects. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in which blood flows through your arteries at higher than usual pressures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure can lead to:  heart disease  stroke  kidney disease  brain and cognitive problems  higher risk of dementia About 47 percent of adults and 70 percent of people 65 years or older have high blood pressure. As many as 1 in 3 people has no idea they have it, and only 1 in 4 people has it under control.