Health looks different for everyone. I bet that's a phrase that you have recently come across, if not multiple times, then at least once. And at first glance, it sounds to you like a normal thing to say until you see what it's been linked to.
I've heard this slogan before and just shrugged it off, as I was hearing it from people who don't have a medical background. However, recently, I was scrolling on my Instagram when I came across “Health Looks Different for Everyone” again, but this time it was from a health website that has millions of followers, and that pushed me to write about this. In this blog, I will tell you why I think this slogan is problematic and how it's dangerous to the people who come across it but don't know any better.
Health is different for everyone; that's true
Are you confused?. Health is different for everyone; that's true. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that phrase itself if it was used in the right context.
As human beings, we are very, and I say very, different. We have different sexes, different ages, and different ethnicities. So, of course, our biology would be different. For example, someone who has been working out for an hour every day for a whole year can withstand exercising for a longer duration without any issue; however, someone who just started working out would have problems doing half the work the other person is doing; in fact, they might even hurt themselves badly.
Yeah, we are different. And for that, we can say that, in some aspects, health is different for everyone. However, that only extends so far.
Health Can Also Be Similar For Most of Us
In the medical field, we have something called First Line Treatment. It's the treatment that most people receive when they present with a certain condition. The reason that such things exist is that, despite our differences, our biology is still mostly similar.
First Line Treatment is called that way because it works with most people, and the reason it does is that our bodies, to a large extent, operate in the same way. When you have a fever, the first medication you will take to lower it is paracetamol. There's a reason behind that.
Health Looks Different For Everyone and Weight
If you ever heard that health looks different for everyone, you probably heard it in reference to health and weight. The people who promote this, in other words, are telling you that it doesn't matter if you are underweight, have an ideal weight, or overweight; being underweight or obese could be a healthy thing for you.
Weight Doesn't Matter in Relation to Health?
To say that weight doesn't affect your health is a blatant lie and a spit on the face of thousands and thousands of research and studies. There is a reason the doctor takes your weight every time you go for a check. Obesity is a disease that affects your body and your health in multiple ways. There is no lack of evidence when it comes to that.
Failing Responsibility
When you are in a place where people come to you for information about their health, even if just one person comes to you, then you have an enormous responsibility towards them.
You are responsible of making sure that everything you write comes from trusted sources.
I suspect that the people who are managing those Instagram accounts are social media managers who have no medical background and are just looking for interactions, because their job is to get as much interactions as possible, and they do that by following trends. But, that doesn't relieve those sites of their responsibility.
The Dangers of Denying The Relationship Between Health and Weight
A problem I have noticed with some patients who get diagnosed with chronic illnesses is that, in the beginning, they enter a denial state. For example, some diabetic patients tell themselves and the people they know that they don't have diabetes, they continue eating sweets and refuse to take their medications.
Now, you can imagine what some patients who struggle with obesity would think when they hear this slogan. They would think “Oh, so I'm healthy? I don't need to lose weight if I'm healthy.”.
This will encourage compliance and thereby increase the risk of complications for some people.
Complications of Obesity
There's a line I saw in it that says:
“The complications associated with adult obesity are overwhelming the healthcare system."
This might give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem.
Below are some complications that can accompany obesity.
1. Increased risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes mellitus
A study that was conducted between 2000 and 2018 and included 2.8 million UK adults observed a relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
A BMI of 30-35 kg/m² was linked to a five times increase in risk, compared to a 12 times increase in risk of type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 40-45 kg/m² (¹).
2. Coronary heart diseases
When it comes to coronary heart diseases, waist-to-hip ratio is the strongest predictor of myocardial infarction, independent of age, ethnicity, gender, smoking, or cardiovascular disease risk factors like hypertension and diabetes².
3. Stroke
Obesity increases your risk of ischemic stroke. A meta-analysis of 25 studies, which included approximately 2.5 million individuals, showed that obese individuals with a BMI higher than 30 kg/m² had a 64% increased risk of ischemic stroke³.
4. Gastrointestinal complications
The gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary complications that are related to obesity are many, and they appear earlier than cardimetabolic complications. That's why some doctors advise screening for obesity in patients with gastrointestinal diseases. This way, an early weight loss intervention can take place and save the patient a lot of potential future complications⁴.
Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary complications include:
Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Erosive esophagitis.
Barret’s esophagus.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Gastritis.
Gastric cancer.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Liver Cirrhosis.
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Gallstones disease.
Gallbladder cancer.
Acute pancreatitis.
Pancreatic cancer.
Diarrhea.
Diverticular disease.
Colonic polyps.
Colorectal cancer.
5. Respiratory Complications
The most common risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea is obesity. Observational data from approximately 3 million individuals associated class one obesity with a five times increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea, while class two obesity was associated with a 22 times increase in risk⁵.
However, sleep apnea is not the only respiratory complication; obese patients are also at higher risk of obesity hypoventilation syndrome and asthma⁶ ⁷.
6. Cancer
Obesity is the second leading cause of cancer in the US (after smoking). But not just that, obesity also affects the prognosis of cancer, as it is associated with increased mortality and recurrence in some types of cancer⁸ ⁹.
7. Cognition
Obesity is related, dependently and independently, to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Dependently through complications that result from obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, those complications are established risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer's¹⁰. Obesity is also an independent risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's¹¹.
8. Genitourinary
It's well known and established that diabetes mellitus and hypertension are considered risk factors for chronic kidney diseases. This makes obesity a major preventable risk factor¹².
But, just like with cognition, the relationship between obesity and genitourinary diseases is not only dependent on other risk factors; but, there is also an independent relationship.
A BMI greater than 25 kg/m² is an independent predictor of end stage renal failure¹².
The theory is that your kidney needs to work harder than it's supposed to meet the excessive metabolic demands of increased body weight¹³.
Other kidney diseases that are associated with obesity include:
9. Musculoskeletal
Obesity is a well-established risk factor for both the development and progression of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. Much to the degree that every two units increase in BMI is accompanied by a 36% increased risk of knee osteoarthritis¹⁸.
Also, patients with obesity suffer worse joint degradation.
Both obesity and osteoarthritis reduce mobility, which means more weight gain and worse symptoms.
Weight loss of 10% in patients with arthritis is related to improved symptoms, physical function, and other health-related quality of life¹⁹.
9. Gout
Obesity is directly associated with gout. It's also related to the early onset of the disease. Weight loss reduces incidents of gout attacks²⁰.
10. Psychological
We all know how obese individuals have been stigmatized since childhood. This stigmatization leads to obesity discrimination, which in turn results in low self-esteem and a negative body image.
Obesity is linked to a higher occurrence of:
Mood and anxiety disorders.
Alcohol use.
Personality disorders.
Suicidal ideation in women²¹.
Where to Draw the Line
There is nothing wrong with trying to be nice or inclusive. Of course, we shouldn't judge anyone based on their appearance, including their weight. Being overweight or obese is way more complex than people tend to think. It's not just about the amount of food you eat; it involves genes and other parameters. It's a really hard thing.
However, on our way to trying to be nice and inclusive, we shouldn't harm the people that we are trying to assure. Because if you did that, then you don't care about those people. All you care about is your image and how you look. Recognizing boundaries in health is essential.
What Should You Do?
Just as professionals and large names have a responsibility to not spread misinformation, you have a responsibility towards yourself to not just take everything they say or everything you read for granted. Double check every piece of information, check the sources and references, and in some cases, you need to talk to your doctor before you do anything.
Bottomline
Health looks different for everyone; that's true in some cases, but it's misleading when you connect it to weight. There are certain weight limits that, when you exceed them on either side, you have a health issue, according to the agreement of experts. Obesity is not something that we should fool around with and pretend that it doesn't relate to our health. It's a serious and even dangerous condition that has a lot of serious complications and that needs to be addressed, not ignored or normalized.
FAQ
1. What does "Health looks different for everyone" imply?
This phrase suggests that health outcomes and needs are different and depend on individual factors, such as genetics, age, and ethnicity. While true in certain context, it can be dangerous if it was used in the wrong place.
2. Why is the concept of "Health is different for everyone" problematic?
That's because it can lead to the misconception that certain health conditions, like obesity, may not be universally harmful. This directly ignores established medical evidence which links obesity to numerous serious health complications.
3. Is weight irrelevant to health outcomes?
No, weight significantly impacts health. Obesity increases the risk of multiple conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
4. What responsibilities do health influencers and websites have?
They should provide accurate information backed by reputable sources. Misinformation, especially regarding weight and health, can mislead individuals and undermine efforts to address obesity-related health issues.
5. How can individuals navigate conflicting health information?
Verify sources, consult healthcare professionals, and prioritize evidence-based guidelines.
6. Why is it crucial to address obesity rather than normalize it?
Normalizing obesity can discourage individuals from seeking necessary medical interventions, leading to increased healthcare burdens and poorer health outcomes.
7. How does obesity affect mental health?
Obesity is associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem due to societal stigma and physical health challenges. Addressing weight-related health issues can positively impact mental well-being.
8. Can weight loss improve health outcomes?
Yes, even modest weight loss can reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise are crucial for managing weight and improving overall health.
9. What role does genetics play in obesity?
Genetics can predispose individuals to obesity, influencing factors like metabolism and fat storage.
Sources and Citations
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