Obesity is referred to as an abnormal accumulation of excess body fat (usually 20% above the normal ideal body weight). The increasing trends in obesity is making it one of the most pervasive and chronic diseases in today’s scenario. Particularly, in the United States, obesity tops the list of leading causes of mortality, morbidity, disability, healthcare utilization and healthcare costs.

According to a discussion paper presented by McKinsey Global Institute, obese people now outnumber those who are undernourished by nearly two and half times. The report states that more than 2.1-billion people – nearly 30% of the global population – are overweight or obese. There are many ways for determining excess body fat – the most common being Body Mass Index (BMI). Typically, an adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, whereas when the BMI exceeds 30 or higher, the person is said to have become obese. According to the CDC, an estimated 112,000 excess deaths per year are associated with obesity.

The reason obesity is being viewed as dangerous because it can result into more than 30 chronic health conditions. These include certain life threatening diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, strokes, certain types of cancers etc. In addition to that, obesity has increased healthcare as well as economic costs on public exchequer. Another disconcerting issue with obesity is that obese people tend to develop a tolerance to food, which is contributing to the overweight population even more. Further, obesity affects a person’s fertility, and when it comes to pregnant women, it is associated with increased risk for spontaneous abortion, congenital anomalies, gestational diabetes and “preeclampsia”.

Health consequences associated with obesity:

Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the major causes of death and disability around the world, which is directly connected to obesity. Obese people are more likely to have high blood pressure – a leading factor for heart attacks or strokes. Excess fat due to obesity leads to high levels of cholesterol, which aggravates heart failure. The primary symptom of chronic heart disease is Agina (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart), and sudden death due to stroke. As far as solution is concerned, losing a small amount of weight can significantly reduce the chances of developing heart disease.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition in which body’s ability to control blood sugar is greatly affected. This condition if gotten severe may lead to early death, stroke and blindness. Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to normal weight people. Losing weight and becoming more physically active can help control type 2 diabetes and hence, blood sugar levels.

Cancer

Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) also suggested that there are several types of cancers associated with being overweight. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and prostate cancer due to abdominal fatness.

Gallbladder Disease

A person who is obese is at an increased risk of developing gallstones and hence, gallbladder disease. The risk increases even more as the weight increases. It is not yet entirely established how obesity causes the accumulation of gallstones. This is perhaps because rapid weight loss ironically makes a person more likely to get gallstones.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a health condition in which common body joints such as knee, hip, and lower back get severely affected. Therefore, during obesity, extra weight places extra pressure on these joints and wear away the cartilage, which meant for joints’ protection. Weight loss, therefore, can decrease stress on the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Gout

Gout is another joint disease that is caused by the high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. This increased amount of uric acid promotes the deposition of crystal-like solids in the joints, which are not good for them. Gout is more common in overweight people and it increases with higher body weight. So, exercise and weight loss could result in the relief of symptoms of gout.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea refers to a severe breathing condition, which is directly linked to excess weight and obesity. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, a soft tissue of the mouth can block the airway while breathing. It is also called obstructive sleep apnea. The only sure way to rid from this condition is to either lose weight or have surgery to remove excess tissue from the palate or throat.

Obesity impacts many aspects of general public health. For one, prevalence of obesity may have long-term ramifications on life expectancy among young adults and children. Due to stigmatization, obesity can have significant challenges in education, healthcare, and employment. Evidence also suggest that due to shortness of breath, back pain, reduced mobility and increased psychological and social burden, the overall quality of life suffers.