What are possible risks of excess body fat?

William B. Salt II., MD

Gastroenterology

It is estimated that the average person gains at least one pound of fat and loses one-half pound of muscle each year beginning at age 20 unless he or she makes a lifestyle change. Excess body fat places you at high risk for heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and certain cancers, especially of the breast and endometrium (uterus). Obesity is expensive, too. The National Institutes of Health estimates that obesity-related disease costs the nation approximately $100 billion each year.

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Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)

Carrying excess body fat increases your risk for many medical conditions. They include:

arthritis
gallstones
heart disease
high blood pressure
liver disease
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis, or fragile bones
sleep apnea
type 2 diabetes

Increasingly, research suggests that packing on too much body fat may also raise the risk for certain types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about how you can lose weight and lower your risk for these and other health threats.

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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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