The word on the dangers of being overweight has gotten out, and most people well know that excess body weight is a health risk. What may not be known is the extent to which being overweight presents a health risk, and which forms of good health are specifically compromised in overweight people. The truth of the matter is, over weight presents a long line of significant health risks.

Excess weight can lead to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset, results from higher than normal levels of blood sugar. High blood sugar levels are associated with heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness, not to mention circulatory problems that in severe cases can lead to the need for extremity amputation.

Being overweight can lead to heart disease. Heart disease is when the heart and blood flow aren't properly functioning. Heart disease may result in heart arrhythmia, angina (chest pain), congestive heart failure, or sudden heart failure.

Overweight persons typically have higher blood pressure levels and higher levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL cholesterol is known to cause health risks; the other type of cholesterol, HDL, is beneficial. High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol levels are each linked to heart disease and stroke. Other health problems associated with high blood pressure are vision problems to the potential point of blindness, and failure of the kidneys. High blood pressure is, with reason, referred to as a killer.

Overweight people are more likely to get certain types of cancers. Colon cancer, esophagus cancer, and kidney cancer all occur more often in overweight people. Women who have excess body weight have a higher prevalence of cancer of the uterus, and of post-menopausal breast cancer. Additionally, studies indicate that among people who do get cancer, overweight people are more likely to die from their cancer than people who aren't overweight.

People who are overweight are more likely to develop sleep apnea than people who aren't overweight. Sleep apnea is a condition where people stop breathing at various points during their normal sleep routine. Sleep apnea can lead to excess fatigue, poor concentration, and even heart failure. Sleep apnea has also been linked to sudden death during sleep.

These are but a few health risks associated with an overweight physique. Yes, there are more. Being overweight is almost an invitation to some form of poor health. Then there's the issue of the financial cost should one become ill from having excess body weight. Hospitalization costs in the United States can turn overwhelming in almost no time at all. You can also lose health care access entirely in the United States if you're no longer able to work. From this perspective, losing weight makes sense for health and for financial reasons.