Obesity is a life-threatening, progressive, chronic disease of epidemic proportions. It affects all ages, classes and ethnicities. Perhaps obesity began in childhood. Perhaps obesity began as an adult. Regardless of the age, this disease can affect the most important tissues, organs and systems of the human anatomy.

Obesity is a contributing factor in at least 12 lethal diseases, and in many others that do not lead to death, but they limit quality of life and daily activities in many ways. It is no wonder that the prevalence of this disease drops in the elderly. People suffering from severe obesity die relatively young! Yet almost all these can be alleviated by weight loss.

In the beginning, for an uncertain period of time, obesity may develop no complications. But once this process starts, one disease after another will affect the patient’s health.


The person with severe or lethal obesity may suffer day and night from irregular episodes of sleep, obstructive choking, startled awakening and drowsiness. During the night, sleep apnea may be present. This is a potentially lethal disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes happening more than 300 times during the night. This condition is secondary to upper airway obstruction, due to the enlargement of the anatomic components of the neck and throat, and the patient is not able to rest during the night. This condition can progress to Pickwic syndrome that leads to pulmonary failure and CO2 retention. During the day, the patient is not able to be awake, alert, or mentally sharp and at night, the person will not achieve a restful sleep. Complications of this condition are mainly cardiac (e.g. sinus arrhythmias, extreme bradycardia, atrial flutter or ventricular tachycardia) but the drowsiness may be lethal as well. People suffering from this condition may not be allowed to drive or to perform critical tasks. They may even fall asleep while talking! At times, the condition is so bad that a tracheotomy is performed. Pulmonary failure and decreased respiratory movements predispose the obese patient to frequent airway infections, like bronchitis and pneumonia.

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Complications of Cardiovascular Disease are the leading cause of death in the United States. Three of the most potent risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) are far more prevalent among the obese than among slim subjects. These factors are high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia (cholesterol and triglycerides), and adult-onset diabetes. All three are improved with weight reduction. CAD, arteriosclerosis, and atherosclerosis are very common. Cerebral atherosclerosis progresses to stroke. Coronary sclerosis progresses to myocardial infarction. Thoracic and abdominal aortoesclerosis results in life-threatening aneurysms.
Fat deposits on lower limbs increase pressure on blood vessels, resulting in varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The incidence of thrombophlebitis is increased as well. Impaired blood flow is also responsible for pulmonary embolisms.

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Increased abdominal pressure secondary to fat tissue excess, results in abdominal hiatus and groin hernias. Esophageal disease, gastritis, bowel disease and hemorrhoids are complications of the obese patient’s bad food habits. Incidence of gall bladder disease is increased in the obese person particularly in women. Obesity also results in fatty liver, which may lead to minor functional changes of this organ.

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Type II diabetes is the most important consequence of obesity. 95% of adult diabetics are obese and 75% of these may discontinue medication with weight reduction. Increased estrogen storage in the fatty tissue is believed to be what lowers sexual drive in men. Losing weight drastically improves libido and sexual intercourse. In the female reproductive system, oligomenorrhea (menstrual periods that occur more than 35 days apart) and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for more than 6 months) are common, frequently resulting in fertility problems. Pregnant obese women have a higher incidence of toxemia, a life threatening cardiovascular complication in the last trimester of pregnancy that affects both the mother and the fetus. Postmenopausal obese women have higher rates of endometrial cancer and uterine fibrosis. For reasons that are not clear, blood levels of uric acid are increased in the obese person, as is the incidence of gout.

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The structures that support the body weight are the lumbar vertebrae, hip, knees and ankles, these are the most affected by pain (ie. Lumbago) and osteoarthritis. Complications often lead to huge calluses on the feet and if obesity is present for long period of time visible anatomic deformities may be present. The obese patient often suffers leg cramps, numbness and weakening as well.

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Excessive subcutaneous fat particularly beneath the breasts and in the thigh and leg areas in women often is responsible for dermatitis, an inflammation produced by chafing of adjacent areas of skin. The lower ratio of body surface to body mass results in impaired heat loss and an increase in sweating, particularly after meals. Sweat, trapped with skin secretions in the thick folds of skin, creates an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections, and the motion.

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Low income has been included as a factor of obesity, but rather than a factor, it is a consequence. Think of the many jobs and opportunities that the obese misses, either because their condition won’t allow them to keep up with the job tasks or because of physical appearance. However, all year long, for years or decades, the affected person spends a significant amount of time and money treating many symptoms and diseases that worsen his or her condition.

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