Health Risks of Being Overweight

Being overweight means more than not looking attractive according to society's standards. Being overweight puts your health at risk. Maintaining a healthy weight for your frame can keep you from developing diseases for which overweight people are more at risk.

Heart disease

• According to the American Heart Association, even those people with no known risk factors are more at risk for developing heart disease if they are overweight. In adults ages 30-64, being even 10 to 20 pounds overweight is increasing your risk.

Diabetes

• A weight gain of 11 to 18 pounds doubles your chances of developing type 2 diabetes as opposed to someone who maintains his weight. Eighty-percent of diabetics are overweight, according to the American Heart Association.

Cancer

• Being overweight increases your risk of certain cancers, including uterine, gall bladder, colon, prostate, kidney and postmenopausal breast cancer.

Arthritis

• For every two pounds you gain, your risk of developing arthritis increases. Arthritis can be relieved by losing weight.

Breathing

• Overweight people have a higher incidence of sleep apnea. Asthma is also more common in overweight and obese people.