HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY Obesity is a ticking time bomb for chronic diseases. Some of them include: - Type 2 diabetes: 80% of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese - Heart disease and stroke: Obesity raises blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation increasing the risk of heart attacks. - Cancer: It increases the risk of 13 types of cancer, including breast, colon and pancreatic. - Liver disease: It can lead to liver failure or cirrhosis. - Joint and bone damage: Excess weight can strain the knees, hips and spine leading to arthritis and chronic pain. - Mental health and sleep disorders: Obesity doubles the risk of depression, and increases the risk of sleep apnea.