Consequences of obesity

The more obese a person is the more likely will develop health problems. Based on the BMI index, the different stages of obesity can be determined, as mild obesity involving a body mass index of 30+, is less dangerous to health than morbid obesity or malignant obesity (BMI 50+).

The risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death and angina or chest pain is increased in persons who are overweight or obese. This doesn’t mean that a healthy person can’t experience these kinds of pathologies, but someone with a high BMI shows a greater risk. High blood pressure is twice as common in obese persons and it is also associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol.

Developing atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries, is frequently associated with obesity. This condition may lead to the formation of an arterial blood clot, is an important pre-condition of many strokes. Unfortunately atherosclerosis is accelerated by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and lack of exercise, risk factors also present when developing obesity.

A weight increase of 11-18 pounds raises a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Over 80 percent of people with diabetes are overweight or obese and the condition is associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and post-menopausal breast cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.

Musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis, are much more prevalent among obese patients, studies showing that obesity is a strong predictor for symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees.

These conditions are far too serious to ignore and when emotional suffering accompanies the phenomenon, the consequences can be extremely hard to fix, but with a strong perseverance and determination a lot can be achieved.