The problem of excess body weight or obesity has been considered to be the cause of many types of serious and chronic diseases. Be it children or elderly, women or men, obesity can be dangerous for everyone. In a recent study related to this, health experts have described the problem of overweight in women as serious and advised to keep it under control.
The study published in the Stroke Journal states that women who are overweight or obese at the age of 15 to 30 may have a higher risk of having an ischemic stroke before the age of 55. However, such a risk has not been seen due to obesity in men of the same age.
Based on the findings of the research, experts have said that efforts are necessary to control weight from an early age. Even if you lose weight after adolescence (age 13-18), the risk of stroke does not end, so it is important to keep an eye on weight from childhood.
Risk of ischemic stroke
It is worth noting that ischemic stroke can occur due to the blockage of the artery leading to the brain due to the formation of a blood clot (known as a thrombus). People suffering from obesity have a higher risk of clot formation and this increases the risk of heart attack in addition to stroke. Stroke is considered a life-threatening problem.
This study was done in Finland. This study conducted from the year 1980 to 2020 included 10,491 people aged 50 years, of which 49% were women. Researchers measured their body mass index (BMI) at the age of 14 and 31 or both. One in 20 participants was seen to be at risk of clot formation and stroke due to it.
What did the study find out?
Experts have drawn attention to some important points of the study.
At the age of 14, women suffering from obesity were found to have an 87% higher risk of stroke due to clots.
Obese women at the age of 31 had a 167% higher risk of stroke caused by a clot than women of a normal weight.
Obese women at 31 also had a 3.5 times higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Men who were overweight or obese at the age of 14 or 31 had a lower risk of stroke caused by a clot than women.
What do experts say?
Dr. Andrew Rogow, director of the Neurology Division at Northwell Health-South University Hospital in New York, says overweight women between the ages of 14 and 31 were more likely to have a stroke than men.
In the US, there were 55,000 more deaths from stroke in women than men in the year 2019. This risk may be due to hormonal changes and higher intake of oral contraceptive pills. Many more risk factors increase the risk of stroke in women.
Estrogen hormone levels, especially in women who smoke.
First menstruation at the age of 10 years or less or the age of 17 years.
Premature menopause (before the age of 45 years)
Use of hormone replacement therapy.
Complications during pregnancy or risk of diabetes.
How to avoid the risk of stroke?
The American Heart Association says that most strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes. It is most important to keep weight under control from an early age. Apart from this, if you smoke, quit it immediately. Being physically active, even walking for 10 minutes every hour is better than sitting.
Keep blood pressure and sugar under control and eat a healthy diet. Health experts say that it is important to pay attention on time to reduce the risk of stroke in women who are overweight during adolescence or youth. If you are also a victim of being overweight at an early age, then definitely consult a doctor about this.
(PC: ISTOCK)