Medical Hazards of Obesity

  1. F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD
  1. From St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York. Requests for Reprints: F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10025. Grant Support: In part by grants P30-DK26687, DK40414, and R55-DK35911 from the National Institutes of Health.

    Abstract

    The medical hazards of obesity are discussed. Risks include insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Obesity is also associated with gallbladder disease and some forms of cancer as well as sleep apnea, chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia, and degenerative joint disease. Obesity is an independent risk factor for death from coronary heart disease. A central distribution of body fat enhances the risk for most of these conditions.

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    1. Ann Intern Med October 1, 1993 vol. 119 no. 7 Part 2 655-660
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