Initiative for a Healthy Weight

The Obesity Epidemic

What are the Consequences of Overweight and Obesity?

Health Consequences
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of certain dangerous health conditions.

The health conditions related to overweight and obesity include:

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Asthma
• Coronary heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancer
• Depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self-esteem

If you are overweight or obese, you can lower your risk of disease and disability by eating healthier and being more physically active.

Economic Consequences
In addition to the health consequences, the economic consequences of overweight, obesity, and their associated health problems are great. In 2002, overweight and obesity costs were estimated at over $92 billion, with half of the cost being covered by Medicare and Medicaid (Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn, Wang 2003). In Rhode Island alone, the cost of obesity has been estimated at $305 million.

• $305 Million Annual Medical Cost of Obesity in Rhode Island Media Release: January 21, 2004

If you are concerned about the obesity epidemic and the consequences for Rhode Islanders, find out what RI is doing and how you can help.