Co-morbid Conditions

The presence of obesity increases the risk of a number of medical conditions, including cancer. A co-morbid condition is a health condition related to a primary disease such as obesity.

There are many health conditions related to morbid obesity, but some of the most common are:

• Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, amputation of the feet or legs, and nerve damage
• Heart disease, such as hardening of the arteries, heart attack, and angina
• High blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss
• High cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure
• Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with high blood pressure
• Acid reflux/GERD, which can lead to esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma)
• Cancer
• Depression
• Osteoarthritis and joint pain, which can lead to loss of mobility
• Stress urinary incontinence
• Female reproductive health disorder, which can lead to infertility and sexual dysfunction

An emerging body of literature demonstrating relationships between maternal obesity and structural birth defects, including:

• Increased risk of spina bifida and heart defects
• Decreased risk of gastroschisis

These conditions occur more frequently in people with morbid obesity. Mortality rates from many of these conditions are also higher among people with morbid obesity.