By Haley Heisley

“Hi, my name is Haley, and I will be your nurse today!”

I introduce each article this way every month since that is how I introduce myself to each of my patients when I begin a shift. I started this blog once I graduated nursing school back in May 2024, and I am currently a few weeks into starting in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

I have met so many patients between my nursing clinical and shifts as a nurse that shared with me their concerns of how they never knew about certain diseases or the prevention of them before they were diagnosed. Now, as they lay in a hospital bed, I educate them on the maintenance and care that each diagnosis needs. Some of these diagnoses are not just the flu or something acute, but rather something like diabetes that is a chronic condition my patients will now have to live with for the rest of their lives. It is sad to just provide education once disaster or a crisis already had struck. I started this column with the hopes of providing education before the hospital and to hopefully even be able to prevent that trip to the emergency room in the first place. 

As we approach the November and December holidays, one thing that is guaranteed – besides the family time, time off work/school, presents, and maybe some snow – is that there will be a lot of food. We deserve to enjoy this time of year and to indulge in these meals and desserts, but as the New Year approaches, how many of us really stick to our resolutions of wanting to eat healthier and work out?

Obesity is something that needs to be discussed globally. If you struggle with your weight, you are definitely not alone. In fact, obesity affects 2 in 5 adults in the United States. 

The Cleveland Clinic categorizes obesity like this:

• Class I obesity: BMI 30 to less than 35 kg/m² (kilograms per square meter).
• Class II obesity: BMI 35 to less than 40 kg/m².
• Class III obesity: BMI 40+ kg/m².

A BMI of 30 or higher in adults is considered being obese. But when you think about the BMI scale, it’s important to remember it doesn’t accurately predict specific health risks.

Now I do not bring this topic up because of how obesity alters one’s appearance, because that would not be a health discussion. Obesity can alter one’s mental health and self-esteem, and it really increases the risk of serious medical conditions.

Obesity is directly linked to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, sleep apnea, reproductive issues, kidney disease, asthma, infertility and even certain cancers. The scary part is how each of these diagnosis’ have complications in themselves that can lead to more and more problems if uncontrolled. 

A lot of things, some even out of our control, can cause obesity. Certain medications, disabilities, diets and genetics play a big role in cause of obesity. Lack of sleep, lack of physical activity and increased stress also have a correlation to obesity. Be sure to visit your primary care provider if you are concerned, because sometimes obesity can even be caused by underlying health issues. 

While doing further research, Cleveland Clinic discusses in great depth the metabolic changes that happen to your body with obesity, which in turn can cause the previously discussed health issues.

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

Your metabolism is how your body converts calories into energy to fuel your body. When your body has more calories than it can use, it converts the extra calories into lipids and stores them in your body fat. When you run out of tissue to store lipids, the fat cells themselves become enlarged. Enlarged fat cells secrete hormones and other chemicals that cause inflammation.

Inflammation can lead to insulin resistance so your body can’t use insulin to lower the sugar and fats in your blood. High levels of sugar and fats in your blood lead to high blood pressure. Combined, these conditions lead to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a common factor in obesity.”

Diet and exercise are the main treatments that we can even start now. We don’t have to schedule an appointment, wait in a waiting room, go to the ER or even buy special supplements to change our diet and our physical activity. Always be sure to go to your primary care provider for at least your yearly physical examinations to compare your weight over the years and for them to diagnose obesity and plan the care and management with you.