Obesity can increase the risks of

Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Related Topics. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Medical Sciences. In: Harward MP, ed. Medical Secrets. Updated by: David C. Editorial team.

Health risks of obesity. People with obesity have a higher chance of developing these health problems: High blood glucose sugar or diabetes. High blood pressure hypertension. High blood cholesterol and triglycerides dyslipidemia, or high blood fats. Heart attacks due to coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. Bone and joint problems, more weight puts pressure on the bones and joints. Obesity Research.

What is the economic case for treating obesity? The economic impact of obesity in the United States. Annual medical spending attributable to obesity: payer-and service-specific estimates. Health Aff Millwood. Indirect costs of obesity: a review of the current literature.

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What's this? Avoiding refined grains like white rice, bread, and pasta can also help. Still, obesity can increase your risk for certain cancers, including breast, colon, gallbladder, pancreatic, kidney, and prostate cancer, as well as cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, and ovaries. One population-based study estimated that about 28, new cases of cancer in men and 72, in women in were associated with being overweight or having obesity in the United States.

Pregnant women who are overweight or have obesity are more likely to develop insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. This can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, including:.

In one study, over 60 percent of women with a BMI of 40 or greater when they got pregnant ended up having one of these complications. Talk to your doctor about physical activity you can safely do during pregnancy. Many people affected by obesity experience depression. Some studies have found a strong correlation between obesity and major depressive disorder. People affected by obesity may often experience discrimination based on their body size.

Over time, this can lead to feelings of sadness or lack of self-worth. These organizations provide opportunities to get involved in fighting against this discrimination. If you have obesity and are experiencing symptoms of depression, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health counselor. Losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight can lower your risk for several of these health conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

A combination of diet and exercise can help you lose the weight slowly over time. The key is to be consistent and to continue making healthy choices. For exercise, aim for at least minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity. This can include a brisk walk — just 30 minutes of walking per day will help you meet this goal. Also, try to include strengthening activities like pushups or situps into your routine at least twice a week.

These treatments can help you lose weight more quickly, but still require a commitment to the above lifestyle changes. Obesity can impact both your physical health and your mental health.

You may be unsure of where to begin, but taking steps now to manage your health can prevent you from complications like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about exercising more, eating a healthier diet, seeing a therapist, and other treatment methods. Obesity can affect nearly every system in your body, from your brain to your lungs and your liver.