Obesity
Health Risks of Obesity
How obesity affects your health depends on many things, including your age, gender, where you carry your body fat, and how physically active you are.
Risk for diseases
If you are obese and have unhealthy eating or activity habits, you have a higher risk for Reference gallstones, Reference type 2 diabetes Opens New Window, Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window, Reference high cholesterol Opens New Window and Reference triglycerides Opens New Window, Reference coronary artery disease (CAD) Opens New Window, a Reference stroke Opens New Window, and Reference sleep apnea Opens New Window, among other conditions.
Children who are obese are at risk for many of the same Reference long-term health problems.
If you have healthier habits or lose weight, your risk for these conditions is reduced.
Where you carry fat
If fat builds up mostly around your stomach (sometimes called apple-shaped), you are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease than people who are lean or people with fat around the hips (sometimes called pear-shaped). Your waist size affects your risk of health problems.
- See a chart on Reference BMI, waist size, and risk for disease.
- See Reference more information on health problems related to obesity.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
