Why Obesity Often Leads to Constipation
Many overweight individuals avoid fiber-rich foods, preferring meat, eggs, and sugary items instead. Consequently, some experience bowel movements only once a week or even less frequently. This prolonged retention allows toxins and moisture to be reabsorbed from stool, causing it to harden and leading to health issues.
Experts confirm that constipation in obese individuals is linked to insufficient dietary fiber. A fiber-deficient diet can have severe consequences. Initially, frequent constipation occurs, followed by difficulty passing stool. Without adequate fiber, the digestive tract lacks stimulation, weakening intestinal motility and naturally reducing stool volume.This lifestyle allows residual food to linger in the intestines, potentially causing abnormal fermentation and putrefaction. The resulting toxic substances from decaying feces can constrict blood vessels and harm health. Numerous studies indicate that individuals with chronic constipation have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer.
Furthermore, insufficient fiber intake impairs digestion and nutrient absorption, weakening the body's ability to regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It also diminishes the body's capacity to synthesize B vitamins essential for nutrient absorption and metabolic processes.
Moreover, fat accumulation in obese individuals primarily occurs in subcutaneous tissue and the mesentery. Excessive fat deposition in the mesentery weakens intestinal peristalsis, causing digested food to accumulate in the intestines and fail to be expelled. Consequently, most constipated individuals are also obese.