Obesity is not merely a cosmetic issue. Excess weight increases the risk of many diseases:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Several cancers such as breast, uterine and kidney
- Sleep apnea a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
- Gallbladder disease
- Erectile dysfunction
- Osteoarthritis
- Nonalcoholic liver diseases
- Gynecologic problems such as infertility and irregular periods
