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Close to 200 million people in the United States are overweight or obese. Being overweight can impact how you feel about yourself. Many people feel less confident, and more self-conscious when they are carrying extra weight. The consequences of being overweight, however, are more than skin deep. It can lead to more insidious, underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and can even contribute to snoring and sleep apnea.

Heart Disease

As your body mass index rises, so does your risk for plaque buildup in your blood vessels. This plaque results in a narrowing of the vessels that carry blood throughout your body. This narrowing causes a rise in blood pressure which means your heart has to work harder in order to pump blood throughout the body. A rise in blood pressure and an overworked heart put you at increased risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by consistently elevated blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. This condition is the result of the body’s inability to properly regulate the release of insulin. Elevated blood sugar levels can even lead to other serious conditions such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and dementia.


Depression and being overweight are two conditions that can appear in sync. Each can increase the likelihood of developing the other. The stress of managing weight can enhance the symptoms of depression while depression can lead to overeating and lack of exercise.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea symptoms can be exacerbated by being overweight. When there is excess soft tissue around the neck it can result in narrowing of the airway. Thankfully this can be resolved without surgery and incorporating a weight management program.

When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, a healthy diet, exercise, and adequate sleep are key. There are surgical options but they come with their own difficulties. Collectively known as bariatric surgery, these procedures include the well known gastric bypass, among others. According to the Mayo Clinic, these procedures help you lose weight by limiting the amount of food can eat or reducing the absorption of nutrients or both. In addition, the Mayo Clinic states all forms of surgery come with risks and side effects, and you still need to maintain a healthy diet to ensure long-term success.

If you are trying to lose weight and looking for guidance and assistance, 360 Medical Weight Specialists in Walnut Creek can help. They offer comprehensive, medically supervised weight loss programs. With 10 years of experience helping treat those trying to lose weight, Dr. Anne Gartner and her team are here to help you live a long, healthy, happy life. Contact us for an appointment today.

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