Being obese can substantially raise the risk of illness from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and breathing problems, and certain types of cancers.

Obesity is a result of a complex variety of social, behavioral, cultural, environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. Efforts to maintain a healthy weight should start in early childhood and continue throughout adulthood. This is likely to be more successful than efforts to lose huge amounts of weight and maintain weight loss once obesity is established.

Two key factors in maintaing a healthy weight are regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Even a consuming a smaller amount of calories and starting a mild routine of physical activity can help prevent weight gain or facilitate weight loss. Speak with your healthcare provider for more information on how to safely and effectively lose weight.

What are some health risks associated with obesity?

• premature death
• type 2 diabetes
• heart disease
• stroke
• high blood pressure
• gallbladder disease
• osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone in joints)
• sleep apnea
• asthma
• cancer (endometrial, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and postmenopausal breast cancer)
• high blood cholesterol
• complications of pregnancy
• menstrual irregularities
• hirsutism (presence of excess body and facial hair)
• stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by weak pelvic-floor muscles)
• increased surgical risk
• psychological disorders such as depression
• psychological difficulties due to social stigmatization

A closer look at some of the diseases caused by obesity

Overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight. Very high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats) can also lead to heart disease and often are linked to being overweight or obese. Being overweight also contributes to angina (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart) and sudden death from heart disease or stroke without any signs or symptoms.

Losing a small amount of weight can reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Reducing your weight by 10% can decrease your chance of developing heart disease by improving how your heart works, blood pressure, and levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides.

Type 2 diabetes reduces your body's ability to manage your blood sugar. It is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness. Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as people who are not overweight. You can reduce your risk of developing this type of diabetes by losing weight and by increasing your physical activity.

If you use medicine to control your blood sugar, weight loss and physical activity may make it possible for your doctor to decrease the amount of medication you need.

Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight or obese. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at greater risk for developing cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate. For some types of cancer, such as colon or breast, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra weight or to a high-fat and high-calorie diet.

Sleep apnea is a major condition that is closely associated with being overweight. It can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore heavily. Sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness and even heart failure. The risk for sleep apnea increases in people with higher body weights. Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea.

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that frequently affects the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back. Carrying extra weight appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis by placing extra pressure on these joints and wearing away the protective cartilage. Weight loss can lessen the stress on your knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Gout is a joint disease caused by increased levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal masses that become deposited in the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights.

If you have a history of gout, check with your doctor or other health professional before trying to lose weight.

Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common in people who are overweight. Your risk of disease increases as your weight increases. It is not clear how being overweight may cause gallbladder disease.

Weight loss itself, particularly rapid weight loss or loss of a large amount of weight, can actually increase your chances of developing gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1 pound a week is less likely to cause gallstones.

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