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Consequences of Obesity

Health Risks

Obesity is a health hazard. Approximately 280,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are related to obesity. Several serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Obesity is also linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer. Obese men are more likely than non-obese men to die from cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate. Obese women are more likely than non-obese women to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix, or ovaries.

Other diseases and health problems linked to obesity include:

• Gallbladder disease and gallstones.

• Liver disease.

• Osteoarthritis, a disease in which the joints deteriorate. This is possibly the result of excess weight on the joints.

• Gout, another disease affecting the joints.

• Pulmonary (breathing) problems, including sleep apnea in which a person can stop breathing for a short time during sleep.

• Reproductive problems in women, including menstrual irregularities and infertility.