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Defining obesity |
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Doctors measure obesity through a formula called the body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are considered to be obese.
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Risk Factors
Of course, the risk factors for obesity include a poor diet with too many calories and fat, lack of exercise, binge eating during stressful times, fad diets or depressive episodes and heredity. But obesity itself is a major risk for many chronic and life-threatening diseases and conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Coronary heart disease.
- High blood triglycerides.
- High blood pressure.
- Certain cancers.
- Stroke.
Obese men are more likely to die from cancer of the colon, rectum and prostate, while obese women are more likely to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix and ovaries. Deaths may be more likely because obesity makes some cancers harder to detect in the early stages, such as the initial small lump of breast cancer.
Metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance syndrome, is defined by the presence of several disorders of body metabolism. These disorders include obesity, high blood pressure and high triglycerides. One out of every five overweight people has this syndrome. The good news is that by making lifestyle changes, you can lower or eliminate some aspects of the condition. You should take this condition seriously because it can lead to diabetes, hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. The high incidence of obesity and insulin resistance - a precursor for diabetes - has become the main reason for the increasing rate of diabetes, early heart disease and high blood pressure in children, teens and adults.
Other disease and health problems associated with obesity include:
- Gallbladder disease and gallstones.
- Osteoarthritis - back, hip and knee joints deteriorate, partly a result of excess weight on the joints.
- Gout, or joint pain, caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint space; most often begins with arthritis in one joint.
- Sleep apnea - a disorder characterized by loud snoring and multiple short periods when breathing stops during sleep.
- Psychological and social problems. Obese people may face prejudice or discrimination at work, at school, while job hunting and in social situations. Feelings of rejection, shame or depression are common.
If you are 40 percent overweight, you are twice as likely to die prematurely.
More on Obesity Health Consequences of Obesity
Extra Pounds Bring Cancer Risk
Insulin Resistance Syndrome/Metabolic Syndrome
Q&A: Obesity Brings Diabetes Risk
Obese Kids at Big Risk for Diabetes
How Your Beer Belly Affects Your Health
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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