The Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem; it’s very much a health problem as well. The more obese a person is, the more likely he or she is to develop health problems. Obesity increases the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases.

Heart Disease

The risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain is increased in persons who are overweight or obese. Overweight and obese people are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides (blood fats) and high levels LDL cholesterol (the "bad cholesterol"), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good cholesterol"). These are all risk factors for heart disease.

Stroke

Narrowing of the arteries (Arteriosclerosis) may lead to the formation of an arterial blood clot. It is accelerated by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and lack of exercise. Arteriosclerosis is an important pre-condition of many strokes.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes reduces your body's ability to control blood sugar. It is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness. You can reduce your risk of developing this type of diabetes by both losing weight and by increasing your physical activity.

Cancer

With obesity are associated several types of cancer. Cancer of the lining of the uterus, colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and post-menopausal breast cancer.

Breathing Problems

Sleep apnoea is a serious condition that is closely associated with being overweight. The apnoea can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore heavily. Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma and severe bronchitis, as well as obesity hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory insufficiency.

Arthritis

Health studies show that obesity is a strong predictor for symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with every 2-pound gain in weight.

Gallbladder Disease

The risk of gallstones is approximately 3 times greater for obese patients than in non-obese people. Indeed, the risk of symptomatic gallstones appears to correlate with a rise in body mass index (BMI).