Obesity

Here's something I stole from the Centers For Disease Control:

Medically, obesity is either directly responsible or a major contributor for a myriad of health issues. Here is a list:

- High blood pressure, hypertension
- High blood cholesterol, dyslipidemia
- Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes
- Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance
- Hyperinsulinemia
- Coronary heart disease
- Angina pectoris (chest pain)
- Congestive heart failure
- Stroke
- Gallstones
- Cholescystitis and cholelithiasis (other gall bladder issues)
- Gout
- Osteoarthritis
- Obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon)
- Complications of pregnancy
- Poor female reproductive health
- Bladder control problems (such as stress incontinence)
- Uric acid nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
- Psychological disorders (such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self esteem).

Looking through this list, we feel it's important to point out a few things and bring more information to the table.

1) The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. 5 things on the obesity "medical contribution" list are directly related to heart disease.


2) The second leading cause of death in the United States is cancer. Obesity has been linked with several different types of cancer. From the National Cancer Institute, "Obesity appears to in-crease the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, endometrium (lining of the uterus), cervix, ovary, kidney, and gallbladder." 4 things on this list are directly related to cancer or complications of these organs.


3) The third leading cause of death in the Unites States is stroke. It's on the obesity medical contribution list.


4) The top three leading causes of death in the United States (heart disease, cancer, and stroke) claim 3 times more deaths per year than the total of the next 7 leading causes of death combined. Obesity directly correlates with the three leading causes of death.


5) Trends show that diabetes is quickly climbing the list of causes of death. 3 things on the list involve diabetes. 85% of diabetics are obese.