Complications of Obesity
Complications list for Obesity:
The list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources
for Obesity includes:
Complications and sequelae of Obesity from the Diseases Database include:
Source: Diseases Database
See also the symptoms of Obesity and Obesity: Introduction.
Complications of Obesity:
Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology (Excerpt)
Obesity is a known risk factor for chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and some forms of cancer.
(Source: Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology)
Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK (Excerpt)
If you are overweight, you are more likely to
develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain
types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid), and
gallbladder disease. Being overweight can also cause problems such as
sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis
(wearing away of the joints). The more overweight you are, the more likely
you are to have health problems.
(Source: excerpt from Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK)
Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Heart Disease and Stroke
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability
for both men and women in the United States. 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. 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.
The good news is that losing a small amount of weight can reduce your
chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Reducing your weight by
10 percent can decrease your chance of developing heart disease by
improving how your heart works, blood pressure, and levels of blood
cholesterol and triglycerides.
Diabetes
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) is the most
common type of diabetes in the United States. Type 2 diabetes reduces your
body's ability to control 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 have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically
active can help control your blood sugar levels. 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.
Cancer
Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight. 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
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that is closely
associated with being overweight. Sleep apnea 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 with higher body weights. Weight loss usually improves
sleep apnea.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that most
often affects the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back. Extra weight
appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis by placing extra pressure
on these joints and wearing away the cartilage (tissue that cushions the
joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on
the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of
osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is a joint disease caused by high 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.
Note:Over the short term, some diets may lead to an attack
of gout in people who have high levels of uric acid or who have had gout
before. If you have a history of gout, check with your doctor or other
health professional before trying to lose weight.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common if you 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.
(Source: excerpt from Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK)
Understanding Adult Obesity: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Obesity is more than a cosmetic problem; it 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.
Health care providers generally agree that the more obese a person
is, the more likely he or she is to develop health problems.
Psychological and social effects
Emotional suffering may be one of the most painful parts of
obesity. American society emphasizes physical appearance and often equates
attractiveness with slimness, especially for women. Such messages make
overweight people feel unattractive.
Many people think that obese individuals are gluttonous, lazy, or
both, even though this is not true. As a result, obese people often face
prejudice or discrimination in the job market, at school, and in social
situations. Feelings of rejection, shame, or depression are
common.
(Source: excerpt from Understanding Adult Obesity: NIDDK)
Dieting and Gallstones: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Obesity has been linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Obesity has also been
associated with higher rates of certain types of cancer, such as
gallbladder, colon, prostate, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
(Source: excerpt from Dieting and Gallstones: NIDDK)
NIDDK _ Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Overweight and obesity are known risk
factors for:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- stroke
- hypertension
- gallbladder disease
- osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of
joints)
- sleep apnea and other breathing problems
- some forms of cancer (uterine, breast, colorectal
kidney, and gallbladder).
Obesity is associated with:
- 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)
- psychological disorders such as depression
- increased surgical risk.
(Source: excerpt from
NIDDK _ Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity: NIDDK)
Obesity Symptoms: Book Excerpts
Medical news summaries about complications of Obesity:
The following medical news items
are relevant to complications of Obesity:
Complication statistics for Obesity:
The following are statistics from various sources
about the complications of Obesity:
- 7.7% of obese men also had diabetes in Australia 2001(2001 National Health Survey, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- 8.7% of obese women also had diabetes in Australia 2001(2001 National Health Survey, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
Obesity as a symptom:
For a more detailed analysis of Obesity as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Obesity.
About complications:
Complications of Obesity are secondary conditions, symptoms, or other disorders that are
caused by Obesity.
In many cases the distinction between symptoms of Obesity and complications
of Obesity is unclear
or arbitrary.
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