Health Risks of Being Overweight & Obesity | How to lose weight fast Health Risks of Being Overweight | Page 10

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing during
sleep. A person who has sleep apnea may suffer from daytime sleepiness, difficulty
focusing, and even heart failure.
How is sleep apnea linked to overweight?
Obesity is the most important risk factor for sleep apnea. A person who is overweight may
have more fat stored around his or her neck. This may make the airway smaller. A smaller
airway can make breathing difficult or loud (because of snoring), or breathing may stop
altogether for short periods of time. In addition, fat stored in the neck and throughout
the body may produce substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in the neck is a
risk factor for sleep apnea.
How can weight loss help?
Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea. Weight loss may help to decrease neck size
and lessen inflammation.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common health problem that causes pain and stiffness in your joints.
Osteoarthritis is often related to aging or to an injury, and most often affects the joints
of the hands, knees, hips, and lower back.
How is osteoarthritis linked to overweight?
Being overweight is one of the risk factors for osteoarthritis, along with joint injury, older
age, and genetic factors. Extra weight may place extra pressure on joints and cartilage
(the hard but slippery tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint), causing them
to wear away. In addition, people with more body fat may have higher blood levels of
substances that cause inflammation. Inflamed joints may raise the risk for osteoarthritis.
How can weight loss help?
For those who are overweight or obese, losing weight may help reduce the risk of
developing osteoarthritis. Weight loss of at least 5 percent of your body weight may
decrease stress on your knees, hips, and lower back and lessen inflammation in your body.
If you have osteoarthritis, losing weight may help improve your symptoms. Research also