People who are obese, compared to those with a normal or healthy
weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health
conditions, including the following:
- All-causes of death (mortality) - cause an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US.
- High blood pressure (Hypertension) -
Additional fat tissue in the body needs oxygen and nutrients in order to live, which requires the blood vessels to circulate more blood to the fat tissue. This increases the workload of the heart because it must pump more blood through additional blood vessels. - High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
- Type 2 diabetes -
Obesity can cause resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. When obesity causes insulin resistance, the blood sugar becomes elevated. - Coronary heart disease -
because fatty deposits build up in arteries that supply the heart. - Stroke -
Blood clots can also form in narrowed arteries and cause a stroke. - Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint) -
Obesity can affect the knees and hips because of the stress placed on the joints by extra weight. - Sleep apnea and breathing problems -
which causes people to stop breathing for brief periods, interrupts sleep throughout the night and causes sleepiness during the day. It also causes heavy snoring. - Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
- Low quality of life
- Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
- Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning
According to cdc.gov and stanfordhealthcare.org
