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Overweight
and obesity are major contributors to many preventable causes of
death. On average, higher body weights are associated with
higher death rates.
Overweight
and obesity substantially raise the risk of illness from high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease
and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances
and problems breathing, and certain types of cancers. Obese
individuals also may suffer from social stigmatization,
discrimination, and lowered self-esteem.
Obesity is a
result of a complex variety of social, behavioral, cultural,
environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. Efforts to
maintain a healthy weight should start early in childhood and
continue throughout adulthood, as this is likely to be more
successful than efforts to lose substantial amounts of weight
and maintain weight loss once obesity is established. |
Health Risks
Associated With Obesity
Obesity is
associated with an increased risk* of:
-
premature death
-
type 2 diabetes
-
heart disease
-
stroke
-
hypertension
-
gallbladder disease
-
osteoarthritis
(degeneration of cartilage and bone in joints)
-
sleep apnea
-
asthma
-
cancer (endometrial,
colon, kidney, gallbladder, and postmenopausal
breast cancer)
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-
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)
-
increased surgical
risk
-
psychological
disorders such as depression
-
psychological
difficulties due to social stigmatization
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