Obesity & Performance in Physical Activity/Sport (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

Obesity & Performance in Physical Activity/Sport

• Obesity is a condition in which people store a large excess of fat deposits in their body

• It is healthy for the body to store fat under the skin and around organs for energy storage, insulation and protection of organs

• In excess, for example in instances of obesity, this storage can have a large negative effect on human health

• According to the WHO, in 2022 16% of people in the world were living in obesity, around 890 million adults and 160 million children and adolescents

• Being obese has a negative impact on the person's ability to participate in physical and sporting activities

  • For example, being obese limits stamina, power and speed, as well as flexibility and agility

• This is due to the increased mass causing pressure on the bones, and requiring extra exertion to carry the heavy mass

• Obese people also have much lower cardiovascular fitness, making high-intensity or prolonged physical activity challenging

• Obese people are much more likely to suffer from ill health compared to people with a healthy body mass

• Some examples are:

  • Certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer which has a higher risk due to poor diet, particularly low fibre diets which commonly come from fruit and vegetables

  • Increased risk of type 2 diabetes due to high sugar and carbohydrate consumption

    • Untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to damaged blood vessels and problems with kidneys, eyes, gums, feet and nerves

  • High cholesterol can occur when eating too many fatty foods, this can lead to blockages in blood vessels, such as those around the heart

  • This leads to an increased risk of developing heart disease or heart attacks

Obesity and heart attack diagram

High cholesterol causes fatty build-up in the blood vessels around the heart; if this causes a full blockage it starves the heart muscle of blood and causes a heart attack

• It is not just physical health that can suffer as a result of obesity but also mental and social health, for example:

  • Obesity can increase the risk of depression and loss of confidence, perhaps relating to body image and concerns about how people will perceive them

  • People with obesity may struggle with socialising and meeting new people

  • They may struggle to leave their home due to a lack of confidence and mobility issues