Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide. Being overweight can also lead to diabetes and its associated conditions, including blindness, limb amputation, and the need for dialysis. Diabetes rates have quadrupled worldwide since 1980. Excess weight can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis. Obesity is also associated with certain cancers, including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney and colon. The risk of contracting these noncommunicable diseases increases even when a person is only slightly overweight and worsens as body mass index (BMI) increases.
Childhood obesity is associated with a wide range of serious health complications and an increased risk of premature onset of associated diseases. Studies have shown that without intervention, obese children and adolescents will likely continue to be obese into adulthood.
