Obesity - Symptoms

Symptoms of obesity 

Lose the belly

Around 1,000 people a week die from obesity-related conditions. If you want to get fit and lose the belly, watch this video to see how other men have done it.

Media last reviewed: 08/09/2011

Next review due: 08/09/2013

Being a little overweight may not cause many noticeable problems. However, once you are carrying a few extra kilograms (or pounds), you may develop symptoms that affect your daily life.

Short-term problems

Obesity causes day-to-day problems such as:

• breathlessness
• increased sweating
• snoring
• difficulty sleeping
• inability to cope with sudden physical activity
• feeling very tired every day
• back and joint pains

Long-term problems

Obesity can also cause changes you may not notice that can seriously harm your health, such as:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high cholesterol levels (fatty deposits blocking your arteries)

Both conditions significantly increase your risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, such as:

• coronary heart disease, which may lead to a heart attack
• stroke, which can cause significant disability and can be fatal

Read more about the complications of obesity.
Another long-term problem that can affect obese people is type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that just under half of all cases of diabetes are linked to obesity. The main symptoms of diabetes are:

• feeling very thirsty
• going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
• extreme tiredness

Psychological problems

In addition to the day-to-day problems of obesity, many people may also experience psychological problems, such as:

• low self-esteem
• low confidence levels
• feeling isolated in society

These can affect relationships with family members and friends and may lead to depression.

Page last reviewed: 05/03/2012
Next review due: 05/03/2014