Health Risks and Related Conditions

Obesity causes health problems that can alter a person’s life in many ways.

These include but are not limited to the following conditions:

• Premature wear and tear on joints (degenerative arthritis of the hips, knees, and back)
• Increased risk of high blood pressure
• Higher risk of diabetes
• Excessive snoring, and nighttime gasping for air (a condition known as sleep apnea)
• Increased risk of heart disease and heart failure
• Infertility and irregular menstruation
• Skin problems and chronic skin infections from moist skin folds
• Esophageal acid reflux disease
• Psychological effects and lowered self-esteem

There are many severely overweight individuals who live happy and productive lives. However, for some people, being overweight creates physical problems that limit their physical activities in their day-to-day lives. This can lead to psychological effects such as frustration and low self-esteem.

There are medical conditions that are related to, or made worse by obesity. These are called co-morbidities and categorized as major or life-threatening problems and minor or more common conditions that are not as life threatening.

Major co-morbidities include the following:

• Type II Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol, etc.)
• Heart Disease
• Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Minor co-morbidities include the following:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Degenerative Arthritis
• Depression
• Urinary Incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity and infertility

Morbid obesity increases the risk for a shorter life expectancy especially for individuals whose body weight exceeds twice their ideal body weight. This brings with it an increased risk of diabetes or heart attack up to seven times greater than in non-obese persons. However, weight gain alone can lead to “end-stage” obesity where no treatment options are available.