This is a common belief by some people that they can be overweight and healthy. 

In reality, it is a small percentage of people that this would apply to. 

The reality is, unfortunately, that if you are currently feeling healthy, the effects of excess fat on the body mean that, in time, there will be negative impacts for most people. If you’re not having negative impacts yet, chances are your will soon.

There are many risks from having excess fat. Being overweight or obese can create a burden on the body as the body is required to support more weight than is healthy. Inflammation, pain and discomfort are part of the excess weight burden, but the body must also manage hormonal imbalances, and additional demands on the cardiovascular system. Combined with the lifestyle factors that may have led to excess weight (diet, and inactivity), the body is also needing to potentially manage digestive issues, sleep issues, mental health issues, diabetes, and cholesterol. The body can become quite unwell, and unfortunately, many of the conditions that are caused by excess weight can also make it more challenging to lose weight.

Below is a list of health risks associated with obesity and being overweight. These include:

• insulin resistance
• high blood pressure
• atherosclerosis
• cardiovascular disease
• stroke
• some cancers including breast
• endometrial and colon cancer
• type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus)
• gall bladder disease
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
• musculoskeletal problems such as osteoarthritis and back pain
• gout
• cataracts
• stress incontinence
• sleep apnoea

It’s confronting, but even every kilo we lose can improve our health.