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:

• Hypertension, systemic
• Weight gain
• Sex hormone binding globulin levels low (serum)
• Thrombophilia
• Striae
• Cortisol levels raised (serum or plasma)
• Pickwickian syndrome
• Hyperlipidaemia
• Abdominal distension
• Arthropathy
• Hyperinsulinaemia
• Female infertility
• Uric acid levels raised (plasma or serum)
• Amenorrhoea
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

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)

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:

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)

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)

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.

Medical news summaries about complications of Obesity:

The following medical news items are relevant to complications of Obesity:

• All about obesity
• Bone problems for obese kids
• Candida influenced by obesity and depression
• Childhood obesity tripling in concern
• Consuming diet and thyroid pills during pregnancy may increase incidence of homosexual offspring
• Diabetes expected to soar over the next 3 decades
• High use of steroids increases risk of heart disease
• Miscarriage influenced by excess weight
• Obese women might be misdiagnosed with asthma
• Obesity increasing the bottom line
• Overweight children being underdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
• Weight loss drug, orlistat, proves itself in trials
• Weighty issue for men
• More news »

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.