Health Risks Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It's a health hazard. Someone who is 40 percent overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as an average-weight person. Obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It is also associated with higher rates of certain types of cancer.
Obese men are more likely than nonobese men to die from cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate.
Obese women are more likely than nonobese women to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix, and ovaries. Osteoarthritis, a disease in which the joints deteriorate, possibly as a result of excess weight on the joints. Doctors generally agree that the more obese a person is, the more likely he or she is to have health problems. Psychological and Social Effects One of the most painful aspects of obesity may be the emotional suffering it causes. American society places great emphasis on physical appearance, often equating attractiveness with slimness, especially in women.