Obesity-associated morbidity

Obesity is an important risk factor for many chronic physical and mental illnesses that people suffer from. The generally accepted view is that being overweight causes similar health problems to obesity, but to a lesser degree.

Obesity is associated with cardiovascular diseases including angina and myocardial infarction. A 2002 report concluded that 21% of ischemic heart disease is due to obesity while a 2008 European consensus puts the number at 35%.

Having obesity is associated to about 11% of heart failure cases in men and 14% in women.

More than 85% of those with hypertension have a BMI greater than 25. The risk of hypertension is 5 times higher in the obese as compared to those of normal weight. A definitive link between obesity and hypertension has been found using animal and clinical studies, which have suggested that there are multiple potential mechanisms for obesity-induced hypertension. These mechanisms include the activation of the sympathetic nervous system as well as the activation of the renin–angiotensin-aldosterone system. The association between hypertension and obesity has been also well described in children.

Obesity is associated with increased LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and lowered HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

Obesity increases one's risk of venous thromboembolism by 2.3 fold.

Obesity is associated with the incidence of stretch marks, acanthosis nigricans, lymphedema, cellulitis, hirsutism, and intertrigo.

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