Aging joints naturally develop osteoarthritis, but obese people typically experience osteoarthritis at much younger ages. Weight loss will not reverse osteoarthritis, but it will help relieve joint pain and possibly slow down the progress of the disease. There is evidence to suggest a link between obesity and reproductive health. In females, a certain amount of body fat is required for normal functioning of the reproductive cycle. However, excess body fat negatively affects the reproductive cycle in women.
Obesity can affect ovulation and menstruation, causing failure to ovulate and menstrual dysfunction.
Women who suffer from both obesity and reproductive disorders show specific hormonal abnormalities. These increased levels affect the functioning of the reproductive system and thus reduce a woman's fertility. Weight loss helps to decrease androgen levels and restore fertility. Obese men can also suffer reproductive disorders, which include impotence and decreased sperm production. Drug therapy for weight loss is also available, such as appetite suppressants and drugs that inhibit the absorption of fats from the intestine.