Osteoarthritis Increased weight will increase the stress on weight-bearing joints, particularly lower extremities, leading to osteoarthritis . A BMI of 30 or more markedly increases the risk for osteoarthritis of the knees. Interestingly, obese persons are less likely to have osteoporosis, but osteoarthritis more than makes up for this. Reproductive Problems Women who are obese are more likely to have menstrual irregularities and ovulatory infertility. Obesity in women who are pregnant increases the likelihood for gestational diabetes that can affect the developing fetus.
Maternal obesity increases the risk for neural tube defects in the fetus.
Sleep Apnea Persons who are obese have a greater likelihood for sleep apnea, or periods of absent breathing while asleep. Persons who snore while sleeping have a propensity to develop sleep apnea. The increased soft tissue in upper airways contributes to the problem. Persons with a BMI of 30 or more are at greatest risk for obesity hypoventilation syndrome, particularly persons with the central distribution of adipose tissue. The gallstones are typically of the mixed type with cholesterol.