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Obesity
- Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Health Risks of Obesity
- Health Benefits of Weight Loss
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Weight-Loss Strategies and Programs
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Places To Get Help
- References
- Credits
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 gallstones, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary artery disease (CAD), a stroke, and sleep apnea, among other conditions.
Children who are obese are at risk for many of the same 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.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 13, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. 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 Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
