Medical Problems

More than aesthetic

Overweight and obesity

• They are much more than an aesthetic problem for most adults
• They greatly increase the risk for many medical and psychological diseases and conditions

Weight loss can bring health improvements

Although the medical problems associated with being overweight or obese are extensive, research shows that even a modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds can bring significant health improvements. Medi-Weightloss Clinics^® can help you lose weight so you can transition to a healthier lifestyle.

Check to see if you are at risk

Obesity Trends

Obesity trends among U.S. adults

per CDC Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System

2009

1999

1989

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure that your blood exerts on the walls of the arteries in your body. As this pressure increases, it can cause irreversible damage that can decrease your life span in a variety of ways. You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you are overweight or obese.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is oftentimes associated with overweight and obesity. It is a condition in which the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart are obstructed secondary to an accumulation of a substance called plaque. Without sufficient blood flow, one can experience angina (chest pain or discomfort), a heart attack, or even heart failure (the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body).

Stroke

The plaque that can build up inside an artery when one is overweight or obese can dislodge and then completely block another artery. If this blockage is close to the brain, it can decrease or completely cut-off blood and oxygen delivery to the brain, resulting in a stroke. The risk of stroke increases as one becomes more obese.

Type 2 Diabetes

Normally, the body breaks down food into glucose. A hormone called insulin then converts the glucose into energy for use throughout the body. When the blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is too high, the body does not respond to insulin appropriately and eventually cannot adequately control the blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is a disease of elevated blood glucose that is a leading cause of stroke, early death, coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. Most people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.

Gout

Frequently found in overweight and obesity due to elevated uric acid levels, gout is a disease that causes very inflamed and painful joints.

Elevated Cholesterol

If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to have decreased levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and increased levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Abnormal cholesterol levels can lead to an accumulation of plaque in the arteries, leading to coronary heart disease.

Cancer

Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for the development of colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder cancer.

Osteoarthritis

Because of the extra weight that the joints must carry when overweight or obese, osteoarthritis, a disease in which the tissue that protects the joints of the knees, hips, and lower back can worsen significantly, causing severe pain.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing, or takes shallow breaths, while sleeping. More fat stored around the neck, as is seen with overweight and obesity, can narrow the airway, making it hard to breathe. Sleep apnea can lead to loud snoring, restless sleep, and sleepiness during the daytime.

Reproductive Problems

Obesity can cause menstrual irregularity and infertility in women.

Gallstones

Hard pieces of stone-like material, made mostly of cholesterol, can form in the gallbladder, resulting in gallstones. People who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing gallstones. Gallstones can cause severe abdominal or back pain and occasionally need surgical removal due to infection or obstruction of the gallbladder.

Metabolic Syndrome

Commonly linked to overweight and obesity, Metabolic Syndrome refers to a group of risk factors that, when simultaneously present, can increase your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. If a person has least three of the following risk factors, they may be diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome:

• A large waistline or abdominal obesity
• Elevated triglyceride level
• Decreased HDL cholesterol level
• Elevated blood pressure
• Diabetes (elevated fasting blood sugar)

Psychological Problems

Depression

Depression is a diverse condition that occurs when a person feels “down” for an extended period of time. Depressed individuals often feel as though they cannot contribute to society and may have trouble interacting with others. Individuals who eat during times of stress have an increased risk of becoming overweight. This overweight can sometimes become a trigger for depression, leading to further weight gain. This can lead to a vicious cycle, if not broken..

Low Self-Esteem

The value that an individual places on their self-worth is important. Some overweight people think less of themselves because they are heavier than they feel is socially acceptable. This low self-esteem can result in social withdrawal, which can further a depressed state of being.

Bullying

Adult bullying can occur, especially in the workplace. Overweight people are more likely to become a victim and less likely to stand up for themselves.

Social Stigma

A stigma can develop when an assumption is made about a person based on their physical characteristics. Overweight people are stereotypically assumed to be lazy, unhealthy, and/or unorganized, oftentimes leading to low self-esteem and depression.

"Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Causes | DNPAO | CDC." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 12 Jan. 2011.
"Obesity, Cholesterol, and Heart Disease - Weighing Your Risks." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 12 Jan. 2011.