The Heavy Burden of Excess Weight: Understanding the Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity

Overweight and obesity have become increasingly prevalent health issues worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, over 1.9 billion adults were overweight, and of these, over 650 million were obese. These statistics are alarming and indicate a need for greater awareness and intervention to address this growing health crisis.

The health effects of overweight and obesity are numerous and can significantly impact an individual's overall well-being. One of the most significant health risks associated with excess body weight is an increased risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious health complications. Research has shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with overweight individuals being two to three times more likely to develop the condition than those with a healthy weight.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease, which includes conditions such as heart disease and stroke, is also strongly linked to overweight and obesity. Excess body weight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and other factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions. Studies have shown that overweight and obese individuals have a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those with a healthy weight.

Cancer

Certain types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and kidney cancer, have also been linked to excess body weight. Research has suggested that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing these cancers, as well as others.

Other Impacts On Life

In addition to these chronic conditions, being overweight or obese can also impact an individual's quality of life. Excess weight can lead to joint pain, mobility issues, and difficulty performing daily activities. It can also impact mental health, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

Why Managing Overweight Is Important

Preventing and managing overweight and obesity is crucial for maintaining good health. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity are two key strategies for achieving a healthy weight. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent the development of chronic conditions and improve overall quality of life.

In conclusion, the health effects of overweight and obesity are significant and far-reaching. From an increased risk of chronic diseases to impacts on mental health, excess body weight can have a significant impact on an individual's well-being. It is important for individuals to be aware of their weight and take steps to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through healthy lifestyle choices.

Health Effects of Different Types of Plastic Bottles You Never Know

Health effects of plastic bottles in our daily life can not be ignored. We are using plastic in various ways. Drinking water, packaged food, thing's packaging and many other ways. Actually, plastic becomes an integral part of our daily life. But, there are many ways by which plastic destroying our life and our environment. 

We use plastic bottles in our daily life and routine. Soft drinks, packaged drinking water comes in plastic bottles. Sometimes we use these plastic bottles a number of times without knowing the facts behind the plastic bottle uses. Plastic can effect development and fertility among us. It can causes diseases in adults. It also make easy to exposure with bacteria.

What is so important in a plastic bottle which can affect health? The answer lies in the numbering system of plastic types.

Every plastic bottle have a numbering system in the base which is surrounded by chasing arrows. Actually, it shows the recycle property of the plastic.

As shown in the image below, the number is at the center of the chasing arrows.

image source:- Wikipedia

This numbering system guide is developed by the Society of the Plastic Industry or SPI.

Plastic bottles or containers generally made from the processes known as Blow Molding and Injection Molding. Injection molding process is used to create many things such as wire spools, packaging, bottle caps, automotive parts and components. Injection molding is the most common modern method of manufacturing plastic parts. While the blow molding process is used to produce necked bottles.

Plastic bottles numbers start from 1 and goes to 7. These numbers represents the resins used in the plastic bottles manufacturing. 

So, What do the numbers mean and how can it affect your health?

Number 1 :-

 

What is It? 

If this number is on the base of the bottle which you are using, it means it is a PET bottle. PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. 

What are the uses? 

PET bottles mostly and generally used in soft drinks and drinking water bottles.

Can It Be recycle?

PET can be recycled into fiber fill for sleeping bags, carpet fibers, rope, pillows etc.

Health Effect of using PET bottles

PET bottles do not contain bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, it does contain any possible human carcinogen (A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer). Also, harmful bacteria can build up in it as you reuse it. You have also noticed on the label of  the drinking water bottle mentioning that crush it after use.

Number 2 :-

What is it?

Number 2 indicates the type of bottle is HDPE and HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene. It is most widely used resin and naturally translucent and flexible. 

What are the uses?

HDPE plastic bottle found in milk jugs, butter tubs, detergent bottles etc. Food storage containers are commonly made from HDPE resins.

Can it Be recycle?

HDPE can by recycle into flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier, cons, detergent bottles etc.

Health Effect of using HDPE bottles

Type 2 plastic i.e. HDPE neither contains bisphenol A (BPA) nor phthalates. Generally it is considered safe for food and drink use. It is considered safe to use but is is advisable to use type 2 plastic bottles with limited use.

Number 3 :-

What is it?

Type 3 bottles are made from PVC ( Polyvinyl chloride) and you can found letter V printed on the base of the bottles. This material is chemically resistant, but it is vulnerable to some solvents. PVC has poor resistance to high temperatures and will distort at 160 °F or 71 °C, making it incompatible with hot-filled products like hot milk or water. It has attained a bad reputation in recent years due to potential health risks.

What are the uses?

It is used in shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles and fast food serving items.

Can it Be recycle?

PVC bottles/plastic can be recycled in drainage and irrigation pipes.

Health Effect of using PVC bottles

Polyvinyl chloride contains phthalates that can cause reproductive problems in animals and humans. Therefore you should avoid this type of bottle for regular use.

Number 4 :-

What is it?

LDPE or Low density Polyethylene is the type 4 plastic. It is similar to HDPE in composition. It is less rigid and generally less chemically resistant than HDPE, but is more translucent. LDPE is significantly more expensive than HDPE.

What are the uses?

LDPE found in grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wraps, margarine tub tops etc.

Can it Be recycle?

LDPE can recycled into new grocery bags.

Health Effect of using PVC bottles

Type 4 plastic does not contain any known harmful chemical and it is considered to be relatively safe to use.

Number 5 :-

What is it?

Type 5 bottles are made from PP or Polypropylene. It is flexible and semi transparent. One major advantage of polypropylene is its stability at high temperatures, up to 220 °F (104 °C). The compatibility of PP with high filling temperatures is responsible for its use with hot fill products. PP shows good chemical resistance, but provides poor impact resistance in cold temperatures.

What are the uses?

It is used in yogurt containers, straws, pancake syrup bottles, bottle caps etc. Microwave safe plastic utensils are made from polypropylene.

Can it Be recycle?

PP can be recycled into car battery cases, plastic lumber, manhole step etc.

Health Effect of using PVC bottles

PP containers or bottles do not leach any known harmful chemical substances in to food or drinkable liquids. It is said to be microwave safe but you should use glass utensils in microwave. Type 5 plastic is considered to be safe.

Number 6 :-

What is it?

Type 6 plastic are made from PS or polystyrene. It offers excellent clarity and stiffness at an economical cost.

What are the uses?

It is used in disposable hot cups, packaging material for peanuts, meat trays etc.

Can it Be recycle?

It can be recycled in to plastic lumber, cassette tape boxes, flower pots etc.

Health Effect of using PVC bottles

It leaches harmful toxic chemicals when heated. It is advisable not to use type 6 plastic because it also took hundreds of years to decompose. 

Number 7 :-

What is it?

Type 7 is usually a mixture of various kinds of plastic. Polycarbonate falls into this category.

What are the uses?

It is used in a squeezable ketchup bottles. 

Can it Be recycle?

Unlike others it can not be recycled because it is a mixture of plastics.

Health Effect of using PVC bottles

You should avoid this type of plastic for use because you can not sure about its ingredients. 

Now you understand the all 7 types of plastics used in the industry and at our home. Type 2, 4 and 5 considered to be safe to use. Type 1, 3, 6 and 7 should be avoided to use. You have seen type 1 bottles around you in mineral water bottles, use it and crush it. Plastic is also harmful for our environment so use them carefully. 

Resources:-

1. Wikipedia.

2. google.