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According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Individuals with a
BMI of 25 or greater are considered at risk for premature death and
disability as a consequence of overweight and obesity.
Health Risks
Below, we have listed the diseases and health problems associated with
excess weight. Please keep in mind that these health risks increase even
more as the severity of an individual's obesity increases.
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Angina
Pectoris |
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Bladder
control Problems (such as stress incontinence) |
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Cholescystitis and Cholelithiasis |
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Cancer
(endometrial, breast, prostrate, and colon) |
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Complications of Pregnancy |
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Congestive Heart Failure |
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Coronary
Heart Disease |
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Gallstones |
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Gout |
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High
Blood Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia) |
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High
Blood Pressure (Hypertension) |
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Hyperinsulinemia |
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Insulin
Resistance, Glucose intolerance |
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and
Respiratory Problems |
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Osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints) |
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Poor
female reproductive health (such as menstrual irregularities,
infertility, irregular ovulation) |
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Psychological disorders (such as depression, eating disorders,
distorted body image, and low self esteem) |
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Stroke |
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Type 2
(non-insulin dependent) Diabetes |
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Uric
Acid Nephrolithiasis |
Psychological and Social Effects
In addition to the aforementioned health risks, there are also
psychological and social effects associated with obesity. For many
people, emotional suffering is one of the most painful parts of obesity.
Our society places great emphasis on physical appearance, often equating
attractiveness with slimness, especially for women. Messages of thinness
are conveyed repeatedly in all forms of media, making overweight people
feel unattractive.
Many people label obese individuals as gluttonous and lazy, even though
this is not true. As a direct result to these labels, obese people often
face prejudice or discrimination in the job market, at school, and in
social situations. With this prejudice and discrimination, come feelings
of rejection, shame, and depression.
Lower your risk
Preventing additional weight gain is recommended if your BMI is greater
than 25, unless you have other risk factors. Obesity experts recommend
you try to lose weight if you have two or more of the following:
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Family history of certain chronic diseases -
If family members have had heart disease or diabetes, you are more
likely to develop these problems if you are obese.
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Pre-existing medical conditions - High blood
pressure, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar levels are all warning
signs of some obesity |
Obesity is
much more than a cosmetic problem; it can cause psychological suffering
and serious health hazards. In fact, overweight and physical inactivity
account for more than 300,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S.,
second only to tobacco-related deaths.
A popular tool, the Body Mass Index (BMI),
helps define healthy weight, overweight and obesity. BMI ranges are
based on the effect body weight has on disease and death. BMI is used to
screen and monitor a population to detect risk of health or nutritional
disorders. On an individual basis, other data must be used to determine
if a high BMI is associated with increased risk of disease and death for
that person.
As we
pointed out in Overweight vs. Obesity, a healthy BMI for adults is
between 18.5 and 24.9.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Individuals with a BMI of 25 or greater are considered at risk for
premature death and disability as a consequence of overweight and
obesity.
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