Surveys have shown that individuals who are obese have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight. The causes? Heart disease is increased in persons who are overweight or obese; High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight; and the list goes on…

With such being the seriousness of the situation, dealing with obesity is of huge importance. It is time to get on your feet and keep a check on your BMI. Speaking of BMI, what is this BMI anyway? Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It is the first step to know where you stand in the obesity scenario, and in assessing many other factors like possibility of other disorders, exercise regimen to follow, dietary plans, etc. In this article, let us delve further into what dangers obesity or chronic obesity poses:

• Heart Disease and Stroke
  High blood pressure and diabetes is twice as common in obese adults. Further, overweight people are more likely to suffer from high levels of triglycerides (blood fats) and LDL cholesterol (a fat-like substance often called the “bad cholesterol”), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good cholesterol”). Where do all these come to play? At danger levels, they are responsible for causing strokes!
• Cancer
  Being overweight may increase the risk of developing several types of cancer, in both men and women alike.
• Sleep Apnea
  Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for short periods during the night. 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.
• Osteoarthritis
  Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder. Extra weight may place extra pressure on joints and cartilage, causing them to wear away.
• Liver Disease
  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.