As one’s weight increases, so do the risks for many diseases linked to obesity:

• Heart disease
• Pulmonary disease
• Diabetes
• Bone and joint pains
• Certain types of cancer

The U.S. Public Health Service’s health indicator list recognizes obesity as a serious public-health problem. Obesity now rivals tobacco use as one of the top conditions leading to increased health problems.

Among the most significant health consequences of obesity are

• Death and sudden death
• Hypertension and heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Gallstones
• Cancer
• Other complications, including arthritis and depression

Back to: Understanding Obesity

Next: Non-Surgical Management of Obesity