![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090113183453im_/http://win.niddk.nih.gov/images/clear.gif)
|
|
![Publications](pubsbut.gif)
![Return to the NIDDK Home Page.](homebut2.gif)
![Download this document in PDF Format](DownloadPDF.gif)
(468KB)
![Download Adobe Acrobat Reader](getacro.gif)
|
If you are overweight, you are more likely to
develop certain health problems. You may be able
to improve your health by losing as little as 10
to 20 pounds.
|
What are the risks to my health
from being overweight? |
Weighing too much may increase your risk for
developing many health problems. If you are
overweight or obese, you may be at risk for:
- type 2 diabetes
- coronary heart disease and stroke
- metabolic syndrome
- certain types of cancer
- sleep apnea
- osteoarthritis
- gallbladder disease
- fatty liver disease
- pregnancy complications
You may be able to lower your health risks by
losing weight, doing regular physical activity,
and eating healthfully.
Top
|
Body
Mass Index |
Body Mass Index
Table
Body mass index (BMI) is a tool that
is often used to determine whether a
person’s health is at risk due to
his or her weight. BMI is a ratio of your
weight to your height. A BMI of 18.5 to
24.9 is considered healthy; a BMI of 25
to 29.9 is considered overweight; and a
BMI of 30 or more is considered
obese.
You can use the table below to
determine your BMI. Find your height in
the left-hand column labeled
“Height.” Move across to your
weight. The number at the top of the
column is the BMI for that height and
weight. Pounds have been rounded off.
|
|
BMI
|
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
Weight
(Pounds) |
Height (Inches) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58 |
91 |
96 |
100 |
105 |
110 |
115 |
119 |
124 |
129 |
134 |
138 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
162 |
167 |
172 |
177 |
181 |
186 |
191 |
59 |
94 |
99 |
104 |
109 |
114 |
119 |
124 |
128 |
133 |
138 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
163 |
168 |
173 |
178 |
183 |
188 |
193 |
198 |
60 |
97 |
102 |
107 |
112 |
118 |
123 |
128 |
133 |
138 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
163 |
168 |
174 |
179 |
184 |
189 |
194 |
199 |
204 |
61 |
100 |
106 |
111 |
116 |
122 |
127 |
132 |
137 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
164 |
169 |
174 |
180 |
185 |
190 |
195 |
201 |
206 |
211 |
62 |
104 |
109 |
115 |
120 |
126 |
131 |
136 |
142 |
147 |
153 |
158 |
164 |
169 |
175 |
180 |
186 |
191 |
196 |
202 |
207 |
213 |
218 |
63 |
107 |
113 |
118 |
124 |
130 |
135 |
141 |
146 |
152 |
158 |
163 |
169 |
175 |
180 |
186 |
191 |
197 |
203 |
208 |
214 |
220 |
225 |
64 |
110 |
116 |
122 |
128 |
134 |
140 |
145 |
151 |
157 |
163 |
169 |
174 |
180 |
186 |
192 |
197 |
204 |
209 |
215 |
221 |
227 |
232 |
65 |
114 |
120 |
126 |
132 |
138 |
144 |
150 |
156 |
162 |
168 |
174 |
180 |
186 |
192 |
198 |
204 |
210 |
216 |
222 |
228 |
234 |
240 |
66 |
118 |
124 |
130 |
136 |
142 |
148 |
155 |
161 |
167 |
173 |
179 |
186 |
192 |
198 |
204 |
210 |
216 |
223 |
229 |
235 |
241 |
247 |
67 |
121 |
127 |
134 |
140 |
146 |
153 |
159 |
166 |
172 |
178 |
185 |
191 |
198 |
204 |
211 |
217 |
223 |
230 |
236 |
242 |
249 |
255 |
68 |
125 |
131 |
138 |
144 |
151 |
158 |
164 |
171 |
177 |
184 |
190 |
197 |
204 |
210 |
216 |
223 |
230 |
236 |
243 |
249 |
256 |
262 |
69 |
128 |
135 |
142 |
149 |
155 |
162 |
169 |
176 |
182 |
189 |
196 |
203 |
210 |
216 |
223 |
230 |
236 |
243 |
250 |
257 |
263 |
270 |
70 |
132 |
139 |
146 |
153 |
160 |
167 |
174 |
181 |
188 |
195 |
202 |
209 |
216 |
222 |
229 |
236 |
243 |
250 |
257 |
264 |
271 |
278 |
71 |
136 |
143 |
150 |
157 |
165 |
172 |
179 |
186 |
193 |
200 |
208 |
215 |
222 |
229 |
236 |
243 |
250 |
257 |
265 |
272 |
279 |
286 |
72 |
140 |
147 |
154 |
162 |
169 |
177 |
184 |
191 |
199 |
206 |
213 |
221 |
228 |
235 |
242 |
250 |
258 |
265 |
272 |
279 |
287 |
294 |
73 |
144 |
151 |
159 |
166 |
174 |
182 |
189 |
197 |
204 |
212 |
219 |
227 |
235 |
242 |
250 |
257 |
265 |
272 |
280 |
288 |
295 |
302 |
74 |
148 |
155 |
163 |
171 |
179 |
186 |
194 |
202 |
210 |
218 |
225 |
233 |
241 |
249 |
256 |
264 |
272 |
280 |
287 |
295 |
303 |
311 |
75 |
152 |
160 |
168 |
176 |
184 |
192 |
200 |
208 |
216 |
224 |
232 |
240 |
248 |
256 |
264 |
272 |
279 |
287 |
295 |
303 |
311 |
319 |
76 |
156 |
164 |
172 |
180 |
189 |
197 |
205 |
213 |
221 |
230 |
238 |
246 |
254 |
263 |
271 |
279 |
287 |
295 |
304 |
312 |
320 |
328 |
|
Source: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, September 1998.
* Without Shoes
**Without Clothes
|
Waist
Circumference |
Another way to determine if your weight is
placing your health at risk is to measure your
waist. Waist measurement does not determine if
you are overweight, but it does indicate if you
have excess fat in your abdomen. This is
important because extra fat around your waist may
increase health risks even more than fat
elsewhere on your body.
Women with a waist measurement of more than 35
inches and men with a waist measurement of more
than 40 inches may have an increased risk for
obesity-related diseases.
Top
|
Type 2
Diabetes
|
What is
it?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which blood
sugar levels are above normal. High blood sugar
is a major cause of coronary heart disease,
kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and
blindness. In 2002, diabetes was the sixth
leading cause of death in the United States.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of
diabetes in the United States. This form of
diabetes is most often associated with old age,
obesity, family history of diabetes, previous
history of gestational diabetes, and physical
inactivity. The disease is more common among
certain ethnic populations. How is it linked to
overweight?
More than 85 percent of people with type 2
diabetes are overweight. It is not known exactly
why people who are overweight are more likely to
develop this disease. It may be that being
overweight causes cells to change, making them
resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin carries
sugar from blood to the cells, where it is used
for energy. When a person is insulin resistant,
blood sugar cannot be taken up by the cells,
resulting in high blood sugar. In addition, the
cells that produce insulin must work extra hard
to try to keep blood sugar normal. This may cause
these cells to gradually fail. What can weight loss
do?
You may lower your risk for developing type 2
diabetes by losing weight and increasing the
amount of physical activity you do. If you have
type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more
physically active can help you control your blood
sugar levels and prevent or delay complications.
Losing weight and exercising more may also allow
you to reduce the amount of diabetes medication
you take. The Diabetes Prevention Program, a
large clinical study sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health, found that losing just 5 to
7 percent of your body weight and doing
moderate-intensity exercise for 30 minutes a day,
5 days a week, may prevent or delay the onset of
type 2 diabetes. For more information about the
Diabetes Prevention Program, visit
www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/preventionprogram/index.htm.
Top
|
Coronary Heart Disease and
Stroke
|
What are
they?
Coronary heart disease means that the heart
and circulation (blood flow) are not
functioning normally. Often, the arteries have
become hardened and narrowed. If you have
coronary heart disease, you may suffer from a
heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden
cardiac death, angina (chest pain), or abnormal
heart rhythm. In a heart attack, the flow of
blood and oxygen to the heart is disrupted,
damaging portions of the heart muscle. During a
stroke, blood and oxygen do not flow normally
to the brain, possibly causing paralysis or
death. Coronary heart disease is the leading
cause of death in the United States, and stroke
is the third leading cause. How are they linked to
overweight?
People who are overweight are more likely to
develop high blood pressure, high levels of
triglycerides (blood fats) and LDL cholesterol
(a fat-like substance often called “bad
cholesterol”), and low levels of HDL
cholesterol (“good cholesterol”).
These are all risk factors for heart disease
and stroke. In addition, excess body
fat—especially abdominal fat—may
produce substances that cause inflammation.
Inflammation in blood vessels and throughout
the body may raise heart disease
risk. What can
weight loss do?
Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can
lower your chances for developing coronary
heart disease or having a stroke. If you weigh
200 pounds, this means losing as little as 10
pounds. Weight loss may improve blood pressure,
triglyceride, and cholesterol levels; improve
heart function and blood flow; and decrease
inflammation throughout the body.
Top
|
|
What is
it?
The metabolic syndrome is a group of
obesity-related risk factors for coronary heart
disease and diabetes. A person has the metabolic
syndrome if he or she has three or more of the
following risk factors:
- A large waistline. For
men, this means a waist measurement of 40
inches or more. For women, it means a waist
measurement of 35 inches or more [1].
- High triglycerides or
taking medication to treat high triglycerides.
A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher is
considered high [1].
- Low levels of HDL
(“good”) cholesterol or
taking medications to treat low HDL. For men,
low HDL cholesterol is below 40 mg/dL. For
women, it is below 50 mg/dL [1].
- High blood pressure or
taking medications to treat high blood
pressure. High blood pressure is 130 mm Hg or
higher for systolic blood pressure (the top
number) or 85 mm Hg or higher for diastolic
blood pressure (the bottom number) [1].
- High fasting blood glucose
(sugar) or taking medications to treat
high blood sugar. This means a fasting blood
sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher [1].
A person with metabolic syndrome has
approximately twice the risk for coronary heart
disease and five times the risk for type 2
diabetes [1]. It is
estimated that 27 percent of American adults have
the metabolic syndrome [2].
How is it linked
to overweight?
The metabolic syndrome is strongly linked to
obesity, especially abdominal obesity. Other risk
factors are physical inactivity, insulin
resistance, genetics, and old age.
Obesity is a risk factor for the metabolic
syndrome because it raises blood pressure and
triglycerides, lowers good cholesterol, and
contributes to insulin resistance. Excess fat
around the abdomen carries even higher risks.
What can weight
loss do?
It may be possible to prevent the metabolic
syndrome with weight management and physical
activity. For patients who already have the
syndrome, losing weight and being physically
active may help prevent or delay the development
of diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other
complications.
Individuals who are overweight or obese and
who have the metabolic syndrome should aim to
lose 10 percent of their body weight and do at
least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity every day. Quitting smoking, eating
healthfully, and taking prescription medications
for conditions such as high blood pressure or low
HDL cholesterol may also be recommended. You can
learn more about the metabolic syndrome from the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at
www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Top
|
Cancer
|
What is
it?
Cancer occurs when cells in one part of the
body, such as the colon, grow abnormally or out
of control. The cancerous cells sometimes spread
to other parts of the body, such as the liver.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in
the United States.
How
is it linked to overweight?
Being overweight may increase the risk of
developing several types of cancer, including
cancers of the colon, esophagus, and kidney.
Overweight is also linked with uterine and
postmenopausal breast cancer in women. Gaining
weight during adult life increases the risk for
several of these cancers, even if the weight gain
does not result in overweight or obesity.
It is not known exactly how being overweight
increases cancer risk. It may be that fat cells
release hormones that affect cell growth, leading
to cancer. Also, eating or physical activity
habits that may lead to being overweight may also
contribute to cancer risk.
What can weight loss
do?
Avoiding weight gain may prevent a rise in
cancer risk. Healthy eating and physical activity
habits may lower cancer risk. Weight loss may
also lower your risk, although studies have been
inconclusive.
Top
|
Sleep Apnea
|
What is
it?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person
stops breathing for short periods during the
night. A person who has sleep apnea may suffer
from daytime sleepiness, difficulty
concentrating, and even heart failure.
How is it linked
to overweight?
The risk for sleep apnea is higher for people
who are overweight. A person who is overweight
may have more fat stored around his or her neck.
This may make the airway smaller. A smaller
airway can make breathing difficult, loud
(snoring), or stop altogether. In addition, fat
stored in the neck and throughout the body may
produce substances that cause inflammation.
Inflammation in the neck is a risk factor for
sleep apnea.
What can weight
loss do?
Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea.
Weight loss may help to decrease neck size and
lessen inflammation.
Top
|
Osteoarthritis
|
What is
it?
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that
causes the joint bone and cartilage (tissue that
protects joints) to wear away. Osteoarthritis
most often affects the joints of the knees, hips,
and lower back.
How is it linked
to overweight?
Extra weight may place extra pressure on
joints and cartilage, causing them to wear away.
In addition, people with more body fat may have
higher blood levels of substances that cause
inflammation. Inflammation at the joints may
raise the risk for osteoarthritis.
What can weight
loss do?
Weight loss of at least 5 percent of your body
weight may decrease stress on your knees, hips,
and lower back, and lessen inflammation in your
body. If you have osteoarthritis, losing weight
may help improve your symptoms.
Top
|
Gallbladder
disease
|
What is
it?
Gallbladder disease includes gallstones and
inflammation or infection of the gallbladder.
Gallstones are clusters of solid material that
form in the gallbladder. They are made mostly of
cholesterol and can cause abdominal pain,
especially after consuming fatty foods. The pain
may be sharp or dull.
How is it linked
to overweight?
People who are overweight have a
higher risk for developing gallbladder disease.
They may produce more cholesterol (a fat-like
substance found in the body), a risk factor for
gallstones. Also, people who are overweight may
have an enlarged gallbladder, which may not work
properly.
What can weight loss
do?
Fast weight loss (more than 3 pounds per week)
or large weight loss can actually
increase your chance of developing
gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1/2
to 2 pounds a week is less likely to cause
gallstones. Achieving a healthy weight may lower
your risk for developing gallstones.
Top
|
Fatty
Liver Disease |
What is
it?
Fatty liver disease occurs when
fat builds up in the liver cells and causes
injury and inflammation in the liver. It can
sometimes lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis
(build-up of scar tissue that blocks proper blood
flow in the liver), or even liver failure. Fatty
liver disease is like alcoholic liver damage, but
it is not caused by alcohol and can occur in
people who drink little or no alcohol. You can
learn more about fatty liver disease, also known
as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), from the
National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/nash.
The NASH Clinical Research Network, sponsored by
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, conducts clinical studies
about prevention and treatment. For more
information on the NASH Clinical Research
Network, visit www.jhucct.com/nash.
How
is it linked to overweight?
People who have diabetes or
“pre-diabetes” (when blood sugar
levels are higher than normal but not yet in the
diabetic range) are more likely to have fatty
liver disease than people without these
conditions. People who are overweight are more
likely to develop diabetes (see the “Type 2
Diabetes” section above). It is not known
why some people who are overweight or diabetic
get fatty liver disease and others do not.
What can weight
loss do?
Losing weight and being
physically active can help you control your blood
sugar levels. It can also reduce the build-up of
fat in your liver and prevent further injury.
People with fatty liver disease should avoid
drinking alcohol.
Top
|
Pregnancy
Complications |
What are
they?
Overweight and obesity raise the risk of
pregnancy complications for both mother and baby.
Pregnant women who are overweight or obese may
have an increased risk for:
- Gestational diabetes (high blood sugar
during pregnancy).
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during
pregnancy that can cause severe problems for
both mother and baby if left untreated).
- Cesarean delivery or complications with
cesarean delivery.
Babies of overweight or obese mothers have an
increased risk of neural tube defects (defects of
the brain and spinal cord), stillbirth,
prematurity, and being large for gestational
age.
How are they
linked to overweight?
Pregnant women who are overweight are more
likely to develop insulin resistance, high blood
sugar, and high blood pressure. (Insulin
resistance is when cells do not respond properly
to the hormone insulin, which carries blood sugar
to cells for energy. It may result in high levels
of blood sugar.) Overweight also increases the
risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, and
severe obesity increases operative time and blood
loss.
Some studies have shown that gaining excess
weight during pregnancy—even without
becoming obese—may increase risks. It is
important to consult with your obstetrician or
other health care provider about how much weight
to gain during pregnancy.
What can weight
loss do?
Women who are overweight or obese and who
would like to become pregnant should speak with
their health care provider about losing weight
before becoming pregnant. Pre-pregnancy
weight loss significantly reduces pregnancy
complications. Pregnant women who are overweight
or obese should speak with their health care
provider about limiting gestational weight gain
and being physically active during pregnancy.
Losing excess weight after delivery may help
women reduce their health risks. If a woman
developed gestational diabetes, losing weight
will lower her risk of developing diabetes later
in life.
Top
|
How can
I lower my health risks? |
To lose weight and keep it off over time, try
to make long-term changes in your eating and
physical activity habits.
- Choose healthy foods, such as vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, and low-fat meat and
dairy products more often.
- Eat just enough food to satisfy you. Aim
for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity, such as walking, on most
or all days of the week.
If you are overweight, losing as little as 5
percent of your body weight may lower your risk
for several diseases, including coronary heart
disease and type 2 diabetes. If you weigh 200
pounds, this means losing 10 pounds. Slow and
steady weight loss of 1/2 to 2 pounds per week,
and not more than 3 pounds per week, is the
safest way to lose weight.
To lose weight, or to maintain weight loss,
you will likely need to do more than 30 minutes
of moderate physical activity daily.
For more information, visit the
websites below.
National Diabetes Information
Clearinghouse
www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
Weight-control Information
Network
www.win.niddk.nih.gov
Endnotes
[1] Grundy SM, Cleeman JI,
Daniels SR, et al. Diagnosis and Management of
the Metabolic Syndrome: An American Heart
Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute Scientific Statement.
Circulation. October 2005;
1129(17):2735-2752.
[2] Ford ED, Giles WH,
Modkad AH. Increasing prevalence of the metabolic
syndrome among U.S. adults. Diabetes
Care. 2004;24(10):244-9.
Top
|
|
Weight-control Information Network
1 WIN Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3665
Phone: (202) 828–1025
Toll-free number:
1–877–946–4627
Fax: (202) 828–1028
Email: win@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov
The Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
is a service of the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health,
which is the Federal Government’s lead
agency responsible for biomedical research on
nutrition and obesity. Authorized by Congress
(Public Law 103–43), WIN provides the
general public, health professionals, the media,
and Congress with up-to-date, science-based
health information on weight control, obesity,
physical activity, and related nutritional
issues.
Publications produced by WIN are reviewed by
both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This
publication was reviewed by Rachel
Ballard-Barbash, M.D., M.P.H., Associate
Director, Applied Research Program, National
Cancer Institute; Robert Eckel, M.D., Professor
of Medicine, Physiology, and Biophysics,
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center;
and Arthur Frank, M.D., Medical Director, The
George Washington University Weight Management
Program.
This publication is not copyrighted. WIN
encourages users of this brochure to duplicate
and distribute as many copies as desired.
Top
|
![Publications](health_risks/pubsbut.gif)
![Return to the NIDDK Home Page.](health_risks/homebut2.gif)
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
NIH Publication No.
07–4098
November 2004
Updated December 2007
e-text posted: November 2004
e-text updated December 2007
|
|
|