Study shows severe obesity may raise risk of 16 common conditions

IANS April 7, 2025 272 views

A groundbreaking study from Johns Hopkins University reveals severe obesity dramatically increases risks for 16 different health conditions. The research analyzed data from over 270,000 participants, demonstrating how health risks progressively worsen with increasing obesity classes. Conditions like sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease showed the strongest associations with severe obesity. These findings underscore the critical importance of obesity prevention and targeted medical interventions.

"Observed associations with class III obesity were strongest for obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease" - Johns Hopkins Research Team
Study shows severe obesity may raise risk of 16 common conditions
New Delhi, April 7: People who are obese, particularly severely obese, could be at an increased risk of experiencing 16 common health conditions including obstructive sleep apnoea, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, according to a study.

Key Points

1

Large-scale US study examines health risks of severe obesity

2

Obesity classes show progressive increase in chronic condition prevalence

3

16 different health outcomes directly linked to obesity severity

4

Research highlights urgent need for targeted intervention strategies

Severe obesity, also known as Class III obesity or morbid obesity, is defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions. It is known to pose significant health risks.

Obesity is a known risk factor for adverse health outcomes involving multiple organ systems.

However, previous studies have analysed conditions individually, limiting understanding of obesity's total health burden. External validity has also been limited by the underrepresentation of individuals with class III obesity and of diverse demographic groups, said the researchers from the Johns Hopkins University in the US.

In the new study, they examined data from 270,657 participants from the US.

They found that the prevalence and incidence rates increased progressively with higher obesity classes for all 16 health outcomes.

Class I, II, and III obesity was observed in 21.2 per cent, 11.3 per cent, and 9.8 per cent of participants, respectively.

Obesity was strongly associated with all incident outcomes, with graded associations across higher classes of obesity.

The 16 conditions include hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gout, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, biliary calculus, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and osteoarthritis.

“Observed associations with class III obesity were strongest for obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease,” said the team, in the study, published in the journal NEJM Evidence.

On the other hand, obesity was less linked to asthma, osteoarthritis, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Rising rates of severe obesity create an urgency around intervention. The study offers an updated estimate of obesity's total health burden and may support future public health strategies, policy actions, and clinical use of antiobesity therapies, said the researchers.

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
This is such important research! As someone who's struggled with weight my whole life, it's eye-opening to see all these risks laid out so clearly. Maybe this will help people take obesity more seriously as a health crisis, not just a cosmetic issue.
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Michael T.
Interesting study but I wish they'd included more about socioeconomic factors. Obesity isn't just about willpower - food deserts, stress, and poverty play huge roles too. Still, good to have this data to push for better healthcare policies.
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Jamal R.
The sleep apnea connection is no joke 😴 My dad had to get a CPAP machine after his weight crept up. This article makes me want to hit the gym today! Small changes can make a big difference over time.
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Anita P.
As a nurse, I see these obesity-related conditions every day. The liver disease cases have skyrocketed in recent years. We need more education about nutrition starting in elementary schools.
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David L.
While the study is thorough, I'm concerned about the BMI focus. Muscle weighs more than fat - many athletes would be classified as obese by these standards. Maybe we need better measurement tools?
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Tina G.
Lost 50lbs after my diabetes diagnosis and it changed my life! 🎉 Articles like this help people understand the real stakes. It's not about being skinny - it's about being healthy enough to enjoy life.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Obesity Research Health Risks Johns Hopkins Study Body Mass Index Chronic Diseases Medical Research
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