Obesity Increases the Risk of These 5 Diseases

We know that being overweight can be a problem in and of itself, but obesity increases the risk of certain health problems specifically. Those who are considered to be obese want to try hard to get the weight under control before it’s too late. If somebody in this condition can work to lose the weight, then they dramatically decrease their risks and thereby improve their overall health.

Sometimes education is the most important factor; and, therefore, learning which diseases obesity increases the risk of, and working toward prevention, can literally be a life saver. Here we look at the most common health problems that result from the body carrying around excessive weight.

1. Diabetes: This is one of the serious health conditions of which obesity increases the risk directly. It can develop quickly and at any age. When the body is carrying excess weight, this can wreak havoc on hormone levels and blood sugar levels. Diabetes can set in any time, even in youth. Diabetes is manageable but nonetheless challenging ot live with. Not only is diabetes hard to get rid of, but it is also the gateway to many other health problems down the road.

2. Heart Disease: Over time, carrying around excess weight on your body can be taxing on the heart. This can develop either because the heart is under a lot of stress or as an offshoot of another health problem. Either way, heart disease is obviously not a good situation; therefore, it’s important to work to manage your weight so as not to compound the problem.

3. High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol: Obesity increases the risk of both of these health conditions, both of which are problematic. The more stress on the body, the more that every single organ and function is taxed. Getting blood pumped to the heart can become a problem, and so can evening out the levels of cholesterol in the body. You will often find that an obese individual suffers from both of these conditions, which seem to go hand in hand.

4. Respiratory Problems: When an individual is carrying around all of that extra weight, it can put direct stress on the lungs. Overweight individuals often have a difficult time breathing or moving about without having to pause. The organs may be compromised, and this is especially true for the lungs. Breathing problems of any kind can be very difficult to manage and work through.

5. Cancer: This may be one of the less direct problems of which obesity increases the risk, but it’s nonetheless a concern. When the body is under duress, it can become more susceptible to a variety of cancers, especially later in life. Thus, managing weight issues and avoiding obesity throughout life is important--so that the worst-case scenario doesn’t become reality!