Health Risks

Related to Obesity

Bariatric Surgery / Understanding Obesity / Health Risks Related to Obesity

Obesity is a disease characterized by excess weight, but treating obesity is about much more than just fitting into a smaller size. Obesity also correlates to many diseases and health conditions, some of which can be painful, debilitating, and life-threatening. At DFW Bariatric Institute, we are committed to providing weight loss solutions that help people live healthier lives.

Heart Disease and Obesity

Each year in the United States, 1 of every 4 deaths can be attributed to heart disease.1 What does heart disease have to do with obesity? Studies have found a direct link between obesity and heart disease, and people with a high BMI may be at greater risk for coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure.2 Studies also have shown that obesity can cause systemic inflammation, which may contribute to heart attack risk.3

Diabetes and Obesity

Many people with obesity also suffer from Type 2 diabetes, a disease which causes insulin resistance and can lead to kidney damage, vision issues, and an increased risk of stroke. Diabetes can also be a costly disease to manage properly. While Type 2 diabetes has a genetic component and can affect people of average weight, specialists agree that excess weight increases the severity of insulin resistance and contributes to diabetes complications.

Learn More About the Connection Between Obesity and Diabetes

Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain, and Obesity

People with excess weight have extra pressure on their joints, which can lead to joint pain and decreased mobility. Medical professionals estimate that every 10 pounds of excess weight exerts the pressure of 30 to 60 pounds on your knees. Patients with obesity may be 5 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis, which is a painful condition that causes joint cartilage and underlying bones to degenerate.4 Obesity may also cause increased back and neck pain.

Learn More About Obesity and Joint Pain

Sleep Apnea and Obesity

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes disordered breathing during sleep, which can lead patients to stop breathing during the night, and in turn causes extreme fatigue. Sleep apnea can also correlate with high blood pressure caused by frequent drops in blood oxygen levels. People with obesity are twice as likely to have OSA than average-weight people.5

Other Health Conditions Associated With Obesity

Obesity is a complex disease and medical researchers are still learning about how it affects the body. The National Cancer Institute states that evidence from observational studies may indicate that obesity increases the risk of many types of cancer, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer. Other diseases that people with obesity may be at higher risk for include gout, gallbladder disease, infertility, carpal tunnel syndrome, and GERD.

Treatment Options for Obesity

While the obvious cure for obesity is weight loss, anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that it is not that simple. Losing weight through diet and exercise alone is extremely challenging because hormonal and metabolic factors can influence the way the human body holds onto excess weight. Fortunately, there are weight loss procedures that are safe and proven to be effective. The experienced bariatric surgeons at DFW Bariatric Institute offer treatments that can help reduce your risk of obesity-related health conditions. For example, gastric sleeve surgery can improve or cure Type 2 diabetes for 70% of patients.6 Learn more about bariatric surgery options and non-surgical weight loss options in Dallas. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation in Colleyville, Frisco, or Rockwall, Texas.

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References:
1 CDC, NCHS. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2013 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2015. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2013, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.
2 Obesity and Heart DiseaseA Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association, Robert H. Eckel and For the Nutrition Committee https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.96.9.3248 Circulation. 1997;96:3248–3250
3 Packer M. J Am Coll Cardiol 2018;71:2360-72
4 Anderson J, Felson DT: Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination (HANES I). Am.J.Epidemiol. 1988;128:179-189.
5 Interactions Between Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Implications for Treatment Abel Romero-Corral, MD, MSc, Sean M. Caples, DO, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, MSc, and Virend K. Somers, MD, PhD, FCCP doi: 10.1378/chest.09-0360
6 Journal of Diabetes Research 2015; 2015: 674268. Published online 2015 Apr 14. Doi

Patient Testimonials

Janet S.

Lost 93 pounds*

"93 pounds later, I have a whole new life. I’ve gone from a size 24 down to 10-12. I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. My knees, which were in sad shape before surgery, don’t hurt anymore. I joined a gym and participate in water aerobics and a latin impact aerobics class. My whole life has changed. I have much more confidence in myself and love to be with people."

Vivian P.

Lost 140 pounds*

“First off….this surgery will give you your life back. It is a total life changing surgery and I feel like I owe DFW Bariatric my life since they restored mine to me. My weight ballooned up to 273 lbs before my surgery. I have successfully lost and maintained a 140 lb weight loss… This is the most amazing journey that anyone could ever take and the DFW Bariatric Institute staff will all be there to hold your hand and lead you down the road to your success.”

Sherrie M.

Lost 110 pounds*

“I am currently 29 years old and weigh 130 lbs. Before surgery I weighed almost 240 lbs…This is the best thing I have done with my life and would do it again today. It changed my life drastically. My surgeon said to me, 'I can do 50% for you and give you the surgery, but the other 50% is up to you. Your eating, your exercise, your total outlook on life make up the other 50%. And what you want from the surgery is what you will get, and the life you will gain.'”

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