Heart Disease

Obese people tend to have elevated cholesterol - which leads to plaque buildup in the arteries. They are also twice as likely to have hypertension.

Type 2 Diabetes

People with excess body fat often become resistant to insulin (it helps the body store glucose). When glucose levels rise, diabetes results.

Stroke

The risk of having a stroke is 2-4 times greater in people with type 2 diabetes, 90 percent of whom are overweight.

Colon Cancer

Obese people are at greater risk of colon cancer as abdominal fat appears to increase risk more than fat elsewhere (which is why men have a higher risk).

Osteoarthritis

Being overweight places additional strain on the spine, hip and knee joints. This causes a loss of cartilage; as cartilage deteriorates, joint space narrows and bones grind together.