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As mentioned earlier in this section, comorbidity is any condition that usually worsens as the degree of obesity increases - and conversely improves as the obesity is successfully treated.

The following is a list of comorbid conditions aggravated by severe obesity:

  • Cardiovascular System:
    • coronary artery disease
    • hypertension
    • congestive heart failure
    • pulmonary hypertension
    • deep vein thrombosis
    • pulmonary embolism
  • Respiratory System:
    • obstructive sleep apnea
    • asthma
    • obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  • Endocrine System:
    • type II diabetes mellitus
    • glucose intolerance
    • decreased insuline sensitivity
    • dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia)
    • amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea
    • polycystic overy syndrome
    • infertility
    • hirsutism
    • gynecomastia
    • breast cancer
  • Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Wall System:
    • gastroesophageal reflux
    • NASH, fatty liver
    • cholelithiasis
    • colon cancer
    • hernias (umbilical, epigastric, incisional, inguinal)
  • Musculoskeletal System:
    • degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis
    • chronic low back pain
  • Genitourinary System:
    • urinary stress incontinence
    • hypogonadism
    • uterine cancer
    • prostate cancer
  • Integument:
    • venous stasis disease
    • superficial thrombophlebitis
    • cellulitis, panniculitis, candidiasis
    • increased postoperative wound infection
  • Psychoneurologic System:
    • clinical depression
    • migraine headache
    • idiopathetic intracranial hypertension
    • cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
   A morbidly obese individual is two to 12 times more like to die.

Other medical conditions are more likely because of obesity.

For example, you are:

1) Six times more likely to have gallbladder disease.

2) 5.6 times more likely to have high blood pressure.

3) 3.8 times more like to have Type 2 diabetes.

4) Two times more likely to have osteoarthritis

Other obesity health-related conditions besides those on the co-morbid list include:

1) Lower extremity venous stasis: This affects the proper function of the veins in the legs that would normally carry blood back to the heart, causing swelling in the lower legs and ankles. Caused by heart or kidney disease brought on by excessive weight.

2) Pancreatitis: A disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Damage to this gland occurs when digestive enzymes are activated and begin attacking the pancreas.

3) Skin breakdown: Skin hygiene can be a significant problem in obese individuals as the layers of skin rub against each other causing skin breakdown and infection.