Does being obese put me at greater health risk?

National Academy of Sports Medicine

According to the CDC, as overweight and obesity increase, the risks for the following conditions also increase: Coronary heart disease; Type 2 diabetes; Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon); Hypertension (high blood pressure); Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides); Stroke; Liver and Gallbladder disease; Sleep apnea and respiratory problems; Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint); Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility).

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Obesity

If you have too much body fat, you are obese, just like over 70 million other Americans. It happens because you eat more calories than you use, and your body converts the excess to fat. There are lots of reasons that this can happen. Our lifestyle may lack exercise, we are given portions that are too big and too caloric when we eat, and some of us are just more efficient genetically at converting food into fat.

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