Obesity has reached crisis level in the United States and is the root cause behind several health problems faced by the population. Medical experts believe that if you are 30 percent overweight than the set guidelines then you are obese. The guidelines are based on the body mass index (BMI) chart which is a calculation of your weight and height. The normal range for a BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 25, the overweight range is 25-30 and you are considered obese if your BMI is 40 or more than that. In the U.S., over 70 million adults are obese and the numbers are rising with each passing day, even children are affected by this condition and more than 17 percent are obese. This means that a large percentage of the population is at risk of obesity related diseases. Some of the diseases associated with obesity can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you are obese, it is in your interest to lose those excess pounds and get in shape not for aesthetic reasons but for your health's sake. Obesity makes you susceptible to many diseases, some of them are. Heart Disease Obesity is characterized by excess collection of fats in the body, this makes you susceptible to several, heart related diseases. People will experience increase in triglyceride levels and their (High Density Lipoprotein) HDl levels will drop. This can result in a heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, and angina. High cholesterol levels can cause several cardiovascular problems which can be fatal. Gallbladder Disease If your bile contains excess amounts of cholesterol then you are likely to develop gallstones. The crystals formed due to cholesterol in the gallbladder cause these stones and women are more prone to developing this than men. In most cases, surgery is the only option to deal with gallstones in obese people. They are also prone to other gallbladder diseases like cholecystitis and jaundice. Hypertension High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common obesity related diseases. High blood pressure puts a strain on the arteries, leading to heart diseases. It also puts you at risk of kidney failure which is a debilitating and at times fatal condition. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance in the arteries. Rising body weight is related to increase in blood pressure levels. Osteoarthritis This condition is caused due to the wear and tear of the joints and can really hamper your day-to-day living. People diagnosed with osteoarthritis will experience pain and stiffness in the joints and limited range of motion. Being overweight puts a strain on the joints and causes wear and tear of the cartilage which cushions the bones at the joints. Sleep Apnea In this condition, you take shallow breathes or pause while breathing in sleep, people with this problem, tend to snore loudly. Obese people experience obstructive sleep apnea, which causes the blockage of the airway during sleep. This condition puts you at risk of developing high blood pressure and stroke. This is a long-term condition and needs lifestyle changes, in extreme cases physicians may suggest surgery to clear the airways. Reproduction Obesity can cause hormonal changes and obesity in women can mean problems with reproduction. It is also known to cause infertility in women and men. Obesity is also one of the common causes of erectile dysfunction in men. Loss of libido is also attributed to obesity and can have a debilitating effect on individuals. Depression Being obese can lead to a state of inactivity and this in itself is not good for the psychological well-being of the individual. Obese people are prone to developing psychological illnesses like depression which can lead to thoughts of suicide in extreme cases. Depression can also drastically hamper your lifestyle and push you towards isolation. Some of the other obesity related diseases are type 2 diabetes, Pickwickian syndrome and gout. Some studies have also linked obesity to prostate and colon cancer. It is advisable to seek professional help for morbid obesity treatment and implement a healthy diet and exercise routine.