6 things that affect your health more than your weight

Weight is the scapegoat for nearly everything. You are fat and unhealthy. Even if I don’t eat that much, I won’t get fat.

Despite popular opinion, health is not that simple. I’m not completely denying the fact that your weight affects your health.But to boil down every aspect of your health to numbers on a scale is shortsighted and misinformed. fat phobia.

Many Factors Further Affect Your Health than your weight, many of which are not even under your control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are five determinants of health. These are a person’s genetics, environment, physical habits, access to medical care, and social factors. Mental health is also an important factor. Here’s what you should know:

Factors directly affecting health

1. Genetics

Our genetics determine so many things for us. It’s not just how you look, the genes you inherit affect your health. You may have a genetic predisposition to developing a disease or condition, such as high cholesterol, certain cancers, sickle cell disease, or diabetes. It does not automatically mean that

There is also a genetic component that weighs. Selected genes tend to make someone bigger or smaller. Certain genes influence metabolism, appetite and body fat distribution.

2. Environmental factors

Environmental factors, such as where you live and work, also affect your health. Many other things are also considered environmental factors, such as clean water, food, air quality, and exposure to harmful toxins. When I turn on the sink, water comes out. However, the World Health Organization estimates that about 12 million deaths annually are attributable to environmental factors.

Studies show that people exposed to harmful air pollutants are 17% more likely to die of heart disease. Indoor burning of wood or kerosene, or exposure to biomaterials, also increases the risk of heart-related death. People with fewer resources to seek general or specialized care are more likely to have poor health.

3. Physical Habits

Think of physical habits in two parts: what we eat and physical activity.

Our dietary choices greatly affect our health. what we eat A diet high in highly processed foods and saturated fats can be detrimental to your health. It increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

Most people associate an unbalanced diet with obesity. However, you may also be thin and have an unhealthy diet. Make Heavy, Good Nutritional ChoicesYour weight doesn’t tell the whole story as it is influenced by many factors besides diet.your metabolism, or the capabilities of your body process what you eatalso plays a big role.

The other side of our physical habits is exercise. Consistent exercise is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Keep your body strong and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Exercise is good for the body regardless of size, and the negative stereotype that fat people are inactive is not true. Since our bodies have different baselines, even healthy people can gain more weight than people who don’t exercise at all.

4. Access to medical care

One of the most important determinants of human health is access to healthcare. Without the necessary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment for their condition, people are at risk of fatal health consequences. includes the cost of and now doctor shortagewait times will be longer than ever and treatment will be delayed further.

Access to healthcare cannot be viewed solely as being able to physically reach a clinic. What happens while you’re there is the other side of the access.

when someone faces discrimination In health care, they are less likely to receive the care they need or seek treatment in the future. Studies show that black people who are discriminated against have a higher risk of high blood pressure. This is a similar story for anyone who has experienced weight discrimination in healthcare. They are more likely to see declines in physical and mental health.A study in 2021 found that older adults had the highest rate of medical discrimination, with 4 out of 4 black or Latino adults. 1 in 1 people are reported to be mistreated.

Access to healthcare is not enough. It should be healthcare that works for you. That is true access to healthcare.

5. Social determinants

Social determinants is an umbrella term for all non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. This includes the person’s circumstances such as where they were born, where they grew up, where they live and where they work. It also encompasses the conditions that shape our lives and the structural policies that inform them: racism, political institutions and policies. It is estimated that social determinants account for up to 50% of health outcomes.

Broadly speaking, social determinants fall into five categories:

• Socio-economic status and economic stability
• education
• neighborhood
• Community and social connections
• health care

Social determinants differ across population subgroups and take into account health inequalities that influence the type of care someone receives. These factors have a greater impact on health than lifestyle choices. Again, lifestyle choices and weight are not as important as factors such as financial stability, education, and where you live.

But how is this possible? Think about it like this: Without reliable transportation to grocery stores, access to healthy food plummets and so does nutrition. This increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Limit how often you go to the hospital if you don’t have the money to pay for medical bills.

6. Ignore mental health

The CDC does not classify mental health as an official determinant of health. But it should be. Our physical health and mental health work together to keep us healthy. They are not separate parts of us. One directly affects the other.

Under maintenance good mental health It can lower the risk of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and heart attack. Neglecting mental health makes existing conditions difficult to manage, undermines care for them, and exacerbates conditions. depression It is a common comorbidity with serious medical conditions. Studies have shown that depression increases the risk of cardiovascular events.

That said, access to mental health care is also compromised for many.Stigma and treatment costs because many people get I needed help. online treatment options Have Cost reduction We have also expanded our mental health resources into areas that weren’t there before.

Too long; didn’t read?

Weight is part of our overall health, but not the most important. Factors such as our circumstances, genetics, environment, and access to medical care determine our health. And don’t forget mental health.

Based on these factors and their choices, overweight people are likely to be healthier than underweight people.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute health or medical advice. If you have any questions about your medical condition or health purposes, always consult a physician or other qualified Talk to your health care provider.