Meet the Experts
Howard Eisenson, MD (at right in photo), is program director of the Duke Diet & Fitness Center (DFC), where he oversees the DFC and also works closely with patients in managing their medical conditions.
Ronald Sha, MD, PhD, is the DFC's medical director. He oversees the DFC's medical clinic and treats medical problems related to overweight, including diabetes and heart disease.
Both doctors take a "whole patient" approach to medical care, especially as it relates to weight control. They lend their medical expertise to Duke Diet & Fitness Online by providing in-depth medical information and responding online to members' questions.
What are the most common health problems associated with overweight and obesity?
— Roger P., Burlington, VT
Answer:
Type 2 diabetes is the number one health problem associated with excess weight, but every organ system in the body can be affected. A person who gains 11 to 18 pounds doubles his or her risk of developing diabetes, compared with someone of the same age who has not gained weight.
Being overweight can also raise the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, chest pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke. In addition, it increases the risk of gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers, including endometrial (uterus), colon, gallbladder, prostate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancer. People with excess weight are also at increased risk of serious breathing disorders, including sleep apnea syndrome; disturbances of urination, such as urinary urgency and frequency; swelling of the legs; sexual dysfunction; and mood disorders such as depression. Pregnant women may also experience complications during pregnancy and an increased risk of birth defects.
The good news is that losing weight — even as little as 5 to 15 percent of body weight — and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses and complications. You can achieve and maintain this kind of weight loss by making healthy lifestyle changes, including eating right and getting regular physical activity.
Ronald Sha, MD, and Howard Eisenson, MD