The 10 Major Health Risks Associated With Obesity

Obesity is a condition that afflicts people all over the world. Why is it called a condition? Well, it leads to many other health conditions that can be debilitating or deadly. In other words, the health problems associated with obesity are numerous and nothing to sneeze at. Take this into consideration: Someone who is overweight by 40% is two times more likely to die than someone who is of an average weight.

Doctors will tell you that a person is more likely to have health problems if they are obese than someone who is an average weight. Even someone who is 20% overweight can benefit from losing a little bit of poundage. The experts say that anyone overweight by 20% of their healthy bodyweight should lose some weight. If they don't then there are some risk factors to consider:

• Heart disease and stroke. Both of these can be deadly and lead to heart attack or a stroke that can leave a person in a vegetative state.

• High blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and other health problems.

• Diabetes, which can lead to other health issues. Some people have lost legs, feet, and other extremities because of diabetes.

• Different forms of cancer can come about. There is not one known form of cancer that is specific to obese individuals because an obese individual becomes more susceptible to any form of cancer.

• Gallbladder disease, gall stones, and kidney stones. These are painful conditions that can lead to other problems.

• Gout, which is a painful condition that no one really wants.

• Osteoarthritis can restrict a person's movement even more than they are already restricted being obese. It is also very painful and debilitating.

• Breathing issues such as sleep apnea. A person with sleep apnea stops breathing for short periods in their sleep. Some have been found to stop breathing completely.

• Blood clots are common in those who are obese. These blood clots form in the legs. They can eventually move to other places of the body such as the lungs, which results in a pulmonary embolism.

• It is even said that obesity increases the risk that someone will develop Alzheimer's, which is a condition that no one wants to ever have to deal with.

There are other factors that can make an obese individual more susceptible to these conditions. However, susceptibility doesn't mean that the disease has to be dealt with. Those with an apple shaped body are more susceptible to these health risks. It also doesn't help them much if there is a family history of these diseases or if there are pre-existing medical conditions. However, losing weight can reduce the risk. A person shouldn't say things such as, "Well, my family has a history of it anyway." Your family may have a history, but weight gain could be the one trigger that causes the onset of that condition. That is why it is important to lose weight.

Doctors say that losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds packs substantial health benefits. Cholesterol levels and blood pressure can be lowered. The risk of heart disease and stroke can also be lowered. Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer of people who are obese. Just a small amount of weight loss can take you farther away from being a statistic. It is all a matter of not being that person who believes they are the exception to the obesity rule. Eventually, everyone who is obese for long periods of time will experience one of the health risks.