Obesity and Medical Conditions

Morbid obesity is not considered to be a cosmetic problem, since the many medical conditions it is associated with (Figure 1) can double the chances of a premature death*, compared to a normal weight person. As the BMI rate increases the more susceptible the person becomes to the various medical problems associated with obesity.

Moreover, men have higher chances of developing cancer i.e. colon, rectum and prostate, while for women, cancer of the breast, uterus and ovarian, are more likely to occur than to a normal weight woman.

*Designates the potential comorbid conditions associated with Type II obesity. If any two of these conditions exist then type II obesity is possible.

Figure 1: Medical conditions attributed to obesity.

This table shows twelve of the most common medical conditions that people suffering from chronic obesity may encounter at some point in their lives if left untreated.

“It is estimated that 320,000 people die every year in Europe due to obesity.”