The health risks of being obese
Identifying the risks of being obese can help you find the best ways to tackle them.
- 1 in 5 adults is obese
- The number has trebled over the last 20 years
- Nearly two thirds of men and over half of women are overweight or obese
Source: Tackling Obesity in England, 2001, the National Audit Office
The health risks of being obese
Being obese puts you at greater risk of developing certain long-term health problems including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Diabetes
- Certain cancers (breast, colon, kidney and stomach)
- Osteoarthritis
- Polycystic ovarian disease
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Infertility
- Emotional problems (low self esteem and depression)
- Shorted lifespan (being obese could knock off as much as nine years from your lifespan)
In the short-term, if you are obese you may find yourself suffering from:
- Snoring
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Excessive sweating
- Unable to cope with sudden physical activity
- Pains in your back and joints
