Overweight or Obese

Obesity is nothing short of an epidemic in the United States. In fact, the term “Fat Americans” yields no less than 52,400 web results, and over 5 million image results (one of a person “walking” their dog from their car) on Google.

While the initial concerns over obesity is usually about how you look and how you feel about yourself, but the fact is, the longer the problem exists for you the more medical problems are going to arise, many of which can be fatal.

Obesity is a growing concern especially because overweight rates have more than double among children and tripled among adolescents. Before you write off your child’s weight as nothing more than “baby fat” or “big boned” consider the following diseases and conditions that are directly attributed to obesity.

1. Diabetes – A disorder where the pancreas is producing not enough or sometimes not any insulin. Obesity and being overweight is one of the main causes due to the body having excess glucose due to overeating.

2. Cancer – In all it’s forms and types, could be prevented with more attention to eating healthy and avoiding obesity and being overweight.

3. Congestive Heart Failure – A condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body’s other organs.

4. Enlarged Heart – The result of the heart muscle being overworked which naturally happened when you are overweight or suffer from obesity.

5. Pulmonary Embolism – A sometimes fatal blockage of an artery. Obesity and being overweight often contribute to a lack of activity which over prolonged periods can result in an embolism.

6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – A condition in which cysts form in your ovaries. These can burst causing further complications.

7. Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease – A common condition in overweight people, it is when stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach back up into the esophagus.

8. Fatty Liver Disease – A reversible condition in which large pockets of fat accumulate in liver cells. It is a single disease that occurs worldwide in people who intake excessive amounts of alcohol, suffer from obesity, or are overweight.

9. Erectile Dysfunction – The inability to develop or maintain an erection which can be caused by a medical problem associated with obesity or a psychological condition.

10. Urinary Incontinence – The inability to control ones urine. It is frequently associated with obesity and weak bladder or pelvic floor muscles.

11. Chronic Renal Failure – Also known as chronic kidney failure, is often associated with the poor diet of those who are overweight or suffering from obesity.

12. Stroke – A lack of blood supply as the body, especially the heart, must work harder when you are obese.

13. Depression – When a person feels sad all the time. This occurs, and is aggravated, for obvious self-esteem issues stemming from being overweight.

14. Osteoarthritis – Obesity often results in extreme cartilage wear due to excess weight.

15. Hernia – When the hole in the diaphragm weakens and enlarges.