Obesity risks triggering reproductive disorders and Alzheimer's disease

Jakarta – Dr M. Vardian Mahardika, M.Biomed, Sp.PD, AIFO-K, an internist, said obesity risks triggering a range of health disorders, including reproductive systems. He said obesity can affect hormonal balance, particularly in women, triggering conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. ‘Obesity often presents suddenly with fertility issues, for example PCOS. Then endometriosis can also occur because of obesity. So women need to be more aware of obesity,’ said Vardian, speaking to media in Jakarta on Wednesday. The doctor who completed his internal medicine training at Universitas Brawijaya said that when women enter perimenopause at ages 45–50 and above, hormone levels start to decline. At this phase, various illnesses become more likely to appear, especially if obesity has previously occurred. Additionally, Vardian added that the important thing to highlight is the definition of obesity itself, given that many people only rely on body weight or BMI. In fact, BMI does not necessarily reflect fat distribution and body composition comprehensively. ‘That’s why many people look not obese, but when we check waist circumference, waist-to-thigh ratio, height, it turns out fat is already high and classed as obesity,’ he said. Vardian stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasised in 2022 that obesity is a chronic disease. This is because people with obesity often have various comorbidities, including relations to dementia and Alzheimer’s. ‘If people let obesity persist, the potential for dementia or Alzheimer’s will increase. It affects breathing; obese people usually have sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep), snoring,’ he said. Dr Vardian also noted that obesity increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. On the heart, obese individuals are more susceptible to heart attacks and even heart failure. Obesity, continued Vardian, is also the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes, fatty liver which in the long term can develop into cirrhosis or even liver cancer, gallstones, and decreased libido can occur because enzymes in fat tissue convert testosterone into estrogen, as well as joint burden. ‘It’s all very complex when we talk about obesity. The WHO has highlighted that obesity is not only a risk factor but a chronic disease. Management cannot be done with intention alone, exercise and reduced eating. It’s not that simple. There must be a role for doctors, lifestyle modification, pharmacology (drugs), and perhaps bariatric surgery,’ he added.