Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight?* Are You Overweight? * What Is Your Waist Measurement? * What Are the Risks to Your Health of Being Overweight? * How You Can Lower Your Health Risks * Additional Reading * Additional Resources If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout gout, condition that manifests itself as recurrent attacks of acute arthritis, which may become chronic and deforming. It results from deposits of uric acid crystals in connective tissue or joints. (joint pain caused by excess uric acid uric acid (y  r`ĭk), white, odorless, tasteless crystalline substance formed as a result of purine degradation in man, other primates, dalmatians, birds, snakes, and lizards. ), and gallbladder
disease gallbladder disease Surgery A popular term for any condition associated with dysfunctional bile ducts, including cholecystitis, cholelithiasis or gallstones, and cancer . Being overweight can also cause problems such as sleep apnea sleep apnea, episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which relaxation of muscles in the throat repeatedly close off the airway during sleep; the person wakes just enough to take a gasping breath. (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis osteoarthritisor osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease Most common joint disorder, afflicting over 80% of those who reach age 70. It does not involve excessive inflammation and may have no symptoms, especially at first. (wearing away of the joints). The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems. Weight loss can help improve the harmful effects of being overweight. However, many overweight people have difficulty reaching their healthy body weight. Studies show that you can improve your health by losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds. Are You Overweight? Use the weight-for-height chart below to see if you are overweight. Find your height in the left-hand column and move across the row to find your weight. If your weight falls within the moderate to severe overweight range on the chart, you are more likely to have health problems. Weights above the healthy weight range are less healthy for most people. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What Is Your Waist Measurement? If you are a woman and your waist measures more than 35 inches, or if you are a man and your waist measures more than 40 inches, you are more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers. You may want to talk to your doctor or other health professional about the health risks of your weight. What Are the Risks to Your Health of Being Overweight? Heart Disease and Stroke Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability for both men and women in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight. Very high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides Triglycerides Fatty compounds synthesized from carbohydrates during the process of digestion and stored in the body's adipose (fat) tissues. High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with insulin resistance. (blood fats) can also lead to heart disease and often are linked to being overweight. Being overweight also contributes to angina Angina Definition Angina is pain, "discomfort," or pressure localized in the chest that is caused by an insufficient supply of blood (ischemia) to the heart muscle. (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart) and sudden death from heart disease or stroke without any signs or symptoms. The good news is that losing a small amount of weight can reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Reducing your weight by 10 percent can decrease your chance of developing heart disease by improving how your heart works, blood pressure, and levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Diabetes Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus diabetes mellitus Disorder of insufficient production of or reduced sensitivity to insulin. Insulin, synthesized in the islets of Langerhans (see Langerhans, islets of), is necessary to metabolize glucose. In diabetes, blood sugar levels increase (hyperglycemia). (type 2 diabetes type 2 diabetes n. See diabetes mellitus. ) is the most common type of diabetes in the United States. Type 2 diabetes reduces your body's ability to control your blood sugar. It is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease Kidney Disease Definition Kidney disease is a general term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the kidney. Kidney disease is also called renal disease. , stroke, and blindness. Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as people who are not overweight. You can reduce your risk of developing this type of diabetes by losing weight and by increasing your physical activity. If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically active can help control your blood sugar levels. If you use medicine to control your blood sugar, weight loss and physical activity may make it possible for your doctor to decrease the amount of medication you need. Cancer Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix cervix /cer·vix/ (ser´viks) pl. cer´vices [L.] 1. neck. 2. the front portion of the neck. 3. cervix uteri. , ovary ovary, ductless gland of the female in which the ova (female reproductive cells) are produced. In vertebrate animals the ovary also secretes the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual , breast, and colon. Overweight men are at greater risk for developing cancer of the colon, rectum rectum: see intestine. rectum End segment of the large intestine (see digestion) in which feces accumulate just prior to discharge. It is 5–6 in. (13–15 cm) long and lined with mucous membrane. , and prostate. For some types of cancer, such as colon or breast, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra weight or to a high-fat and high-calorie diet. Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a serious condition that is closely associated with being overweight. Sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore snore (snor) 1. rough, noisy breathing during sleep, due to vibration of the uvula and soft palate. 2. to produce such sounds during sleep. snore v. heavily. Sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness sleepiness Drowsiness, somnolence Sleep disorders Difficulty in maintaining the wakeful state so that the person falls asleep if not actively kept aroused; sleepiness is not simply physical tiredness or listlessness. See Excessive daytime sleepiness. and even heart failure. The risk for sleep apnea increases with higher body weights. Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that most often affects the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back. Extra weight appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis by placing extra pressure on these joints and wearing away the cartilage cartilage (kär`təlĭj), flexible semiopaque connective tissue without blood vessels or nerve cells. It forms part of the skeletal system in humans and in other vertebrates, and is also known as gristle. (tissue that cushions the joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Gout Gout is a joint disease caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal masses that become deposited in the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights. Note: Over the short term, some diets may lead to an attack of gout in people who have high levels of uric acid or who have had gout before. If you have a history of gout, check with your doctor or other health professional before trying to lose weight. Gallbladder Disease Gallbladder disease and gallstones Gallstones Definition A gallstone is a solid crystal deposit that forms in the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ that stores bile salts until they are needed to help digest fatty foods. are more common if you are overweight. Your risk of disease increases as your weight increases. It is not clear how being overweight may cause gallbladder disease. Weight loss itself, particularly rapid weight loss or loss of a large amount of weight, can actually increase your chances of developing gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1 pound a week is less likely to cause gallstones. How You Can Lower Your Health Risks If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight may improve many of the problems linked to being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and are considered overweight on the weight-for-height chart, you would need to lose 10 to 20 pounds. Even a small weight loss can improve your health. Slow and steady weight loss of no more than 1 pound per week is the safest way to lose weight. Very rapid weight loss can cause you to lose muscle rather than fat. It also increases your chances of developing other problems, such as gallstones, gout, and nutrient nutrient /nu·tri·ent/ (noo´tre-int) 1. nourishing; providing nutrition. 2. a food or other substance that provides energy or building material for the survival and growth of a living organism. deficiencies. Making long-term changes in your eating and physical activity habits is the best way to lose weight and keep it off over time. * Eat Better: Whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain your weight, you should take a look at your eating habits and try to improve them. Try to eat a variety of foods, especially pasta, flee, bread, and other whole-grain foods. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods will fill you up and are lower in calories than foods full of oils or fats. For more information on healthy eating, see the Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary, Guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. for Americans booklet that is available from the Weight-control Information Network (WIN). * Increase Physical Activity: Making physical activity a part of your daily life is an important way to help control your weight and lower your risk for health problems. Spend less time in activities that use little energy like watching television and playing video games See video game console. and more time in physical activities. Try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day on most days of the week. The activity does not have to be done all at once. It can be done in short spurts--10 minutes here, 20 minutes there--as long as it adds up to 30 minutes a day. Simple ways to become more physically active include walking to the store or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. See WIN's fact sheet Physical Activity and Weight Control for more information. If you are not overweight but health problems related to being overweight run in your family, it is important that you try to keep your weight steady. If you have family members with weight-related health problems, you are more likely to develop them yourself. If you are not sure of your risk of developing a weight-related health problem, you should talk to your health care provider. Additional Reading Weight Loss for Life. NIH "Not invented here." See digispeak. NIH - The United States National Institutes of Health. Publication No. 98-3700. This booklet describes different types of weight-loss programs and important elements of a successful weight-loss plan. Available from the Weight-control Information Network (WIN). Understanding Adult Obesity adult obesity Public health Overweight in an adult, defined as an average body-mass index of ≥ 27.8 in ♂ and 27.3 in ♀. See Morbid obesity, Obesity. Cf Childhood obesity. . NIH Publication No. 94-3680. This fact sheet describes the causes of obesity, how it is measured, and its associated health risks. Available from WIN. Physical Activity and Weight Control. NIH Publication No. 96-4031. This fact sheet explains how physical activity helps promote weight control and other ways it benefits one's health. It also describes different types of physical activity and provides tips on how to become more physically active. Available from WIN. Gastric Surgery for Severe Obesity. NIH Publication No. 96-4006. This fact sheet describes the different types of surgery used to treat severe obesity. It explains how gastric surgery promotes weight loss and the benefits and risks of each procedure. Available from WIN. Dieting and Gallstones. NIH Publication No. 94-3677. This fact sheet describes what gallstones are, how weight loss may cause them, and how to lessen the risk of developing them. Available from WIN. Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines dietary guidelines Cardiology A series of dietary recommendations from the Nutrition Committee of the Am Heart Assn, that promote cardiovascular health. See Caloric restriction, food pyramid, French paradox. for Americans, Fourth Edition. Home and Garden Bulletin No. 232. 1995. This booklet provides advice for healthy Americans 2 years of age and older about food choices that promote health and prevent disease. It stresses the important roles a balanced diet balanced diet n. A diet that furnishes in proper proportions all of the nutrients necessary for adequate nutrition. balanced diet and physical activity play in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additional Resources The following organizations have information and educational materials available to the public on health problems associated with being overweight. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases P.O. Box AMS 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: (301) 495-4484 Web: www.nih.gov/niams/ National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Communications Building 31, Room 10A16 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: (800) 4-CANCER (4-226237) E-mail: cis@icicc.nci.nih.gov Web: www.nci.nih.gov National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 Phone: (301) 654-3327 Fax: (301) 90%8906 E-mail: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov Web: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes.htm National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 Phone: (301) 654-3810 Fax: (301) 907-8906 E-mail: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov Web: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/digest.htm National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 Phone: (301) 251-1222 Fax: (301) 251-1223 E-mail: nhlbiic@dgsys.com Web: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/nhlbi.htm Weight-control Information Network 1 Win Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3665 Phone: (301) 984-7378 or 1-800-WIN-8098 Fax: (301) 984-7196 E-mail: win@info.niddk.nih.gov The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases About NIDDK The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. (NIDDK NIDDK National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ), part of the National Institutes of Health, under the U.S. Public Health Service. Authorized au·thor·ize tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es 1. To grant authority or power to. 2. To give permission for; sanction: by Congress (Public Law 103-43), WIN assembles and disseminates to health professionals and the public information on weight control, obesity, and nutritional disorders. WIN responds to requests for information; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and develops communications strategies to encourage individuals to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability. This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired. NIH Publication No. 98-4098 May 1998 e-text posted: 25 June 1998 |
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