Diseases Complicated by Weight Gain

High Blood Pressure:
With weight gain, there is an increase in fatty tissues that rely on oxygen and nutrients. As demand for oxygen and nutrients increases, the amount of blood circulating through the body also increases. More blood traveling through the arteries means added pressure on the artery walls. Also, with weight gain there can be an increase in insulin. Insulin is associated with the retention of sodium and water that increases blood volume. Finally, excess weight often is associated with an increase in the heart rate and a reduction in the capacity of blood vessels to transport blood. All of these factors can increase blood pressure.

Diabetes:
Weight gain is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes. Excess fat makes the body resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps the body maintain a proper level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. If the body is resistant to insulin, blood sugar level is high.

Coronary Artery Disease:
This is a form of cardiovascular disease. It results from the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries that supply the heart. Over time these deposits can narrow the heart's arteries, so less blood flows to the heart. Diminished blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina). Complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.

Stroke:
Excess weight is associated with atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries throughout the body, including arteries in the brain. If a blood clot forms in a narrowed artery in the brain, it can block blood flow to an area of the brain. The result is a stroke.

Osteoarthritis:
Weight gain puts extra pressure on joints and wears away the cartilage that protects them, resulting in joint pain and stiffness.

Sleep Apnea:
This serious condition causes a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore heavily. The upper airway is blocked during sleep, which results in frequent awakening at night and subsequent drowsiness during the day. Most people with sleep apnea are overweight, which contributes to a large neck and narrowed airways.

Cancer:
Many types of cancer are associated with being overweight. In women, these include cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, ovaries, and gallbladder. Overweight men have a particularly higher risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, and the prostate.

Fatty liver disease:
Excess weight leads to fat build up in the liver. This fatty accumulation can lead to inflammation and scarring of the liver. Such scarring can cause cirrhosis of the liver, even if the person is not a heavy alcohol drinker.

Abnormal Blood Fats:
A diet high in saturated fats such as red meat and fried foods may lead to weight gain and elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein, LDL or bad cholesterol. Excess weight is also associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL or good cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides. Triglycerides are the form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. Over time, abnormal blood fats can contribute to atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries throughout the body. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.

Gallbladder disease:
Because overweight people may produce more cholesterol, which can be deposited in the gallbladder, the risk of gallstones is higher.

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