Top 3 Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity

1. Heart disease

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Extra weight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes, all of which can damage the heart.

2. Stroke

Obesity is also a risk factor for stroke, the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain. Extra weight can increase your risk of blood clots, as well as the other risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

3. Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's ability to use glucose for energy. Obesity is the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Extra weight can cause insulin resistance, which leads to high blood sugar levels.