From the Guidelines
Ten diseases that manifest or are accompanied by obesity include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, certain cancers, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Obesity contributes to these conditions through various mechanisms, as outlined in recent studies 1.
Key Conditions Associated with Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes: excess fat tissue causes insulin resistance, preventing proper glucose regulation 1
- Hypertension: develops as the heart works harder to pump blood through additional blood vessels in fatty tissue 1
- Coronary heart disease and stroke: risk increases due to atherosclerosis from obesity-related inflammation and lipid abnormalities 1
- Sleep apnea: occurs when excess fat deposits around the upper airway obstruct breathing during sleep 1
- Osteoarthritis: develops from increased mechanical stress on weight-bearing joints 1
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from fat accumulation in liver cells 1
- Gallbladder disease: risk increases due to higher cholesterol production and secretion 1
- Certain cancers: risk rises through hormonal changes, chronic inflammation, and altered cell growth signals 1
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: obesity exacerbates hormonal imbalances, worsening symptoms like irregular periods and infertility 1 These conditions are supported by the most recent and highest quality studies, including those published in 2024 1, which emphasize the importance of addressing obesity to reduce the risk of these diseases.
From the Research
Diseases Accompanied by Obesity
The following are ten diseases that manifest or are accompanied by obesity:
- Hypertension (HTN) 2
- Type II diabetes mellitus 2, 3, 4
- Dyslipidemia 2, 3, 4
- Obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing 2
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) 2, 5, 3
- Heart failure (HF) 2, 3
- Atrial fibrillation 2, 3
- Certain cancers, such as:
- Stroke 5
Key Findings
These diseases are often linked to excess body fatness, which can lead to various health outcomes, including premature mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer 6, 5, 3. Lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise and proper diet, can help prevent and maintain chronic diseases, including obesity 5, 3.