Obesity is currently the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.1 Being overweight and obese can contribute to death by causing or worsening many different diseases, including but not limited to:
- High blood pressure;
- High cholesterol (overweight individuals often have higher levels of “bad” cholesterol and lower levels of “good” cholesterol);
- Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition where a person may stop breathing for a period of time while sleeping);
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis;
- Certain types of cancer, including breast, esophageal, stomach, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney cancer;
- In women: menstrual disturbances, infertility problems, and an increased incidence of birth defects in children;
- Increased daytime sleepiness and heat intolerance;
- Obesity may also contribute to gallbladder disease, gout, breathing problems, increased incidence of infections, liver diseases, and increased pain, especially in the lower back and knees.
Two of the biggest health problems that overweight individuals face are a greatly elevated risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) has found a direct link between these health conditions and being overweight. Heart disease is now the number-one killer of women in the United States, and the rise of overweight and obesity can be directly correlated to it.
A person’s risk of developing these health conditions increases as his or her BMI increases, so obese individuals are at higher risk than overweight individuals. Weight loss of even 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg) in adults and children can decrease the risk of developing health problems such as diabetes and hypertension. This weight loss can also help to control or lessen the severity of these conditions in patients already afflicted with these conditions. As previously noted, adults with central obesity are at higher risk of developing many of these conditions than are people with evenly distributed body fat.
Obese children also have an increased incidence of health problems.As the prevalence of obesity has increased in children, there has been a similar rise in diseases that were previously rare in children, including type II diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). There is a high incidence of obesity among children with asthma, which may indicate a link between the two conditions. There is also an increase in bone and joint complications in obese children. During childhood, bone and cartilage is still growing and developing, and is not strong enough to bear excess weight.
A person’s risk of developing these health conditions increases as his or her BMI increases, so obese individuals are at higher risk than overweight individuals. Weight loss of even 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg) in adults and children can decrease the risk of developing health problems such as diabetes and hypertension. This weight loss can also help to control or lessen the severity of these conditions in patients already afflicted with these conditions. As previously noted, adults with central obesity are at higher risk of developing many of these conditions than are people with evenly distributed body fat.
Obese children also have an increased incidence of health problems.As the prevalence of obesity has increased in children, there has been a similar rise in diseases that were previously rare in children, including type II diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). There is a high incidence of obesity among children with asthma, which may indicate a link between the two conditions. There is also an increase in bone and joint complications in obese children. During childhood, bone and cartilage is still growing and developing, and is not strong enough to bear excess weight.
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