The obesity epidemic

Obesity increases the risk of many diseases including:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)

• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)

• Type 2 diabetes

• Coronary heart disease

• Stroke

• Gallbladder disease

• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems

• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)