| Heart Disease |
| The number of deaths of men and women because of the heart disease is the highest in the United States , more so because U.S. has the highest number of obese people. |
| Stroke |
| Strokes are caused when there is blood clot in the arteries due to which the proper blood flow does not reach the brain; as a result the brain stops functioning and since the brain stops functioning the pumping of the blood to the heart also stops due to which a person dies. |
| Cancer |
| There is a high risk of cancer of the ovaries, uterus, breast, and gallbladder in the women. On the other hand obese men have a high risk of colon cancer, rectum cancer and prostate cancer. Half of the cases of breast cancer that are detected in the women are of those women who are obese. |
| Gallstones or gallbladder diseases |
| The higher the weight of a person, the higher is his risk of contracting gall bladder diseases or gallstones. But similarly a rapid weight loss is also not good as far as the risk of acquiring gallstones or gallbladder diseases are concerned. |
| Osteoarthritis |
| Obese people put excessive weight on their joints due to which they develop arthritis in their bone joints. Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that affects the knee joint, hip joint and the lower back. Due to the excess weight put on these joints the cartilage or the soft tissue that acts as a protection between these joints wears away causing immense pain in the joints. |
| Breathing Problems |
| Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder while sleeping where a person may stop breathing in his sleep causing a risk to his life. Sometimes the snoring of a person in his sleep is also an indication that the person has breathing problems in his sleep. The risk of sleep apnea increases with the increase in weight of a person. |
| High blood cholesterol |
| A person who is obese has a higher content of total cholesterol in his blood including the bad cholesterol and Triglycerides. This increases the danger of heart disease. |
| High blood pressure |
| Due to excess weight and the deposition of fat on the walls of the arteries the blood requires extra pressure to flow in them causing hypertension or high blood pressure. Obese individuals have twice the risk of acquiring hypertension than the people with normal weights. |
| Complications of pregnancy |
| Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure and a kind of diabetes that is generally found in pregnant women. Obese women have to face more trouble during their labor and delivery. |
| Irregular menstrual cycles and infertility |
| Women who are obese have irregular menstrual cycles adding to their infertility. |
| Low physical stamina and endurance |
| Obese people have low energy levels and low stamina which does not allow them to work as efficiently as the people with normal weights. |
| Psychological and Social Effects |
| Last but not the least are the social pressures which obese people have to bear. In general, slim is always considered attractive, especially for women. This adds to the mental tension and a sense of discrimination in the minds of obese women. Otherwise also, the obese people often have to face a prejudice at their schools, colleges, work place, while looking for a job or in social situations. This adds on to the feeling of shame and guilt in them, which is further a reason for developing depression in such individuals. |
