Controversy continues to rage in the medical field. How life-threatening is obesity as a whole? An original CDC (Center for Disease Control) study shows that 300,000 Americans die each year as a result of obesity-caused or obesity-effected disease. Another study done in 2005 shows that number to be 112,000.

But does that matter? With 61 percent of the adult community in America considered overweight or obese, it's the risk that's important. Whether 300,000 or 112,000 Americans a year, the reality is that obesity kills a lot of people. It's a scary thought, but it's true. If you're struggling with obesity, it's important to understand the risks involved, and the reality you may be faced with if you cannot make a change in your life. Even a small change will make a difference. Studies have shown that the more obese a person is, the greater the risk to his or her health. A person with a BMI of 30, for instance, is at less risk of developing life-threatening health problems than a person with a BMI of 40 or even 50.

Studies have shown that a person that is about 40 percent above their ideal weight is twice as likely to die prematurely as a person of average weight. Twice as likely. That's a scary statistic. Death from obesity-related factors occurs due to a large variety of diseases and disorders.

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

High blood pressure is twice as common in obese adults as in those with a normal weight. Especially in obese persons with a large amount of abdominal fat, obesity leads to a much higher occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

Increased Risk of Some Cancers

In 2001, experts concluded that some cancers, specifically breast, colon, endometrium (uterine), esophagus, and kidney, are closely associated with obesity. Others studies have also showed a close relation between obesity and pancreatic, gallbladder, and ovarian cancers. In 2002, about 41,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in the United States were determined to be caused by obesity.

A weight loss of even 5-10% can greatly reduce these risks.

Increased Risk of Diabetes

In 1990, about 11 million American suffered from diabetes. In 1999, less than ten years later, that number was up to 16 million. As lifestyles change and people make more and more unhealthy food choices, diabetes is becoming an epidemic. In all, 97 percent of all cases of type two adult-onset diabetes are caused by obesity or excessive weight.

In addition to the risks outlined here, obesity also increases the risk of fatty liver disease, stroke, chronic venous insufficiency, gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis, arthritis, and breathing problems. So it's important to understand that losing weight will have more than a positive effect of your self-esteem and lifestyle-- it will also make a vast difference in your health later on in life.