Obesity-Related Health Conditions

Obesity is directly harmful to a person’s health. Someone who is 40 percent overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely than an average-weight person. (This effect is seen in people after living with obesity for 10 to 30 years.) The risk of death from diabetes or heart attack is five to seven times greater. Even beyond the issue of obesity-related health conditions, weight gain alone can lead to a condition known as "end-stage" obesity where, for the most part, no treatment options are available. Yet an early death is not the only potential consequence. Social, psychological and economic effects of morbid obesity, however unfair, are real and can be especially devastating.

Obesity-related conditions are health conditions that whether alone, or in combination, can significantly reduce your life expectancy. Following is some of the more common conditions:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure/Heart Disease
• Osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints
• Stroke
• Sleep Apnea/RespiratoryProblems
• Heartburn or Reflux Disease
• Cancer (in women: endometrial, gallbladder, cervical and uterine; in men colorectal and prostate)
• Gallbladder
• Depression
• Infertility
• Skin Breakdown
• Swollen Legs/Skin Ulcers
• Urinary Stress Incontinence
• Menstrual Irregularities

For more information on Bariatric Surgery, call the Elkhart Clinic at (574) 296-3220.