Skip to content
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Videos
Font Size
A
A
A

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, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and sleep apnea, among other conditions. If you lose weight, your risk for these conditions is reduced.

Where you carry body fat is important. 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).

See a chart on BMI, waist size, and risk for disease.
See more information on health problems related to obesity.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 16, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Next Article:

Eat, Sleep, Eat ...

Best foods for your cat or dog.

webMD Video

Show or hide information about video: When Are Extra Pounds a Danger?   When Are Extra Pounds a Danger?

Bernstein Video Thumbnail

Jonathan Sackner Bernstein, MD, talks about when being overweight becomes a health problem.

Watch Video: When Are Extra Pounds a Danger? (opens in a new window)

Show or hide information about video: Drink Your Way To Weight Loss   Drink Your Way To Weight Loss

Show or hide information about video: Lose Weight By Surfing the Web   Lose Weight By Surfing the Web

Show or hide information about video: Fast-Food Survival   Fast-Food Survival

Show or hide information about video: Protein Diet Done Right

  Protein Diet Done Right