Question: What are the risk factors for being overweight or obese?
What are the known health risks for people who are overweight or obese?
Answer: According to the National Institutes of Health, being overweight or obese have known risk factors for the following:
- diabetes
- coronary heart disease
- high blood cholesterol
- stroke
- hypertension
- gallbladder disease
- osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints)
- sleep apnea and other breathing problems
- some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney)
Obesity is also associated with:
- 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
- increased mortality
Related FAQ:
Should I Lose Weight?
Source:
National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The Weight-control Information Network WIN - Statistics. 12 Oct 2007.
