Poll: Few Americans know all the risks of obesity
WASHINGTON (AP) — Heart disease and diabetes get all the attention, but what about the many other ways obesity can damage your health?
Carrying too many pounds may lead to or worsen some types of cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, even infertility. But a new poll suggests few Americans realize the links.
Only about one-quarter of people think it's possible for someone to be very overweight and still healthy, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Ask about the most serious consequences, and more than 7 in 10 Americans can correctly tick off heart disease and diabetes. Heart disease is the nation's leading killer, and diabetes and obesity are twin epidemics, as rates of both have climbed in recent years.
The other consequences aren't so well known.
"People are often shocked to hear how far-reaching the effects of obesity are," said Jennifer Dimitriou, a bariatric dietitian at New York's Montefiore Medical Center.
Only 7 percent of people surveyed mentioned cancer, although doctors long have known that fat increases the risk of developing cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, uterus and certain other sites. Plus, being overweight can make it harder to spot tumors early and to treat them.
Then there's the toll on your joints, especially the knees. About 15 percent of people knew obesity can contribute to arthritis, a vicious cycle as the joint pain then makes it harder to exercise and shed pounds.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes were fairly low on the list. Infertility didn't get a mention.
Also, 5 percent put respiratory problems on the list. Studies show people who are overweight are at increased risk of sleep apnea and asthma, and that dropping pounds can help improve their symptoms.
Knowing more about the myriad ways obesity affects health could help motivate people to get more active and eat better before full-blown disease strikes, Dimitriou said.
"Most people want to become healthier. It's the know-how, and understanding what the consequences are," she said.
But only 52 percent of those surveyed said they've discussed the health risks of being overweight with a doctor.
In another complication, the AP-NORC Center survey found that about half of people think their weight is just about right, and only 12 percent of parents think their child is overweight. That's even though government figures show two-thirds of U.S. adults, and one-third of children and teens, are either overweight or obese.
If you're surrounded by overweight people, especially in your family, "then that's all you know, and that to you is normal," Dimitriou said.
The AP-NORC Center survey was conducted Nov. 21 through Dec. 14. It involved landline and cellphone interviews with 1,011 adults nationwide and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
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Associated Press News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.
Carrying too many pounds may lead to or worsen some types of cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, even infertility. But a new poll suggests few Americans realize the links.
Only about one-quarter of people think it's possible for someone to be very overweight and still healthy, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Ask about the most serious consequences, and more than 7 in 10 Americans can correctly tick off heart disease and diabetes. Heart disease is the nation's leading killer, and diabetes and obesity are twin epidemics, as rates of both have climbed in recent years.
The other consequences aren't so well known.
"People are often shocked to hear how far-reaching the effects of obesity are," said Jennifer Dimitriou, a bariatric dietitian at New York's Montefiore Medical Center.
Only 7 percent of people surveyed mentioned cancer, although doctors long have known that fat increases the risk of developing cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, uterus and certain other sites. Plus, being overweight can make it harder to spot tumors early and to treat them.
Then there's the toll on your joints, especially the knees. About 15 percent of people knew obesity can contribute to arthritis, a vicious cycle as the joint pain then makes it harder to exercise and shed pounds.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes were fairly low on the list. Infertility didn't get a mention.
Also, 5 percent put respiratory problems on the list. Studies show people who are overweight are at increased risk of sleep apnea and asthma, and that dropping pounds can help improve their symptoms.
Knowing more about the myriad ways obesity affects health could help motivate people to get more active and eat better before full-blown disease strikes, Dimitriou said.
"Most people want to become healthier. It's the know-how, and understanding what the consequences are," she said.
But only 52 percent of those surveyed said they've discussed the health risks of being overweight with a doctor.
In another complication, the AP-NORC Center survey found that about half of people think their weight is just about right, and only 12 percent of parents think their child is overweight. That's even though government figures show two-thirds of U.S. adults, and one-third of children and teens, are either overweight or obese.
If you're surrounded by overweight people, especially in your family, "then that's all you know, and that to you is normal," Dimitriou said.
The AP-NORC Center survey was conducted Nov. 21 through Dec. 14. It involved landline and cellphone interviews with 1,011 adults nationwide and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
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Associated Press News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.
I know the risks completely as I am considered morbidly obese. The problem is the way I got this way was not one cheeseburger at a time it was medication induced and now I have to suffer the consequences because Doctors and the FDA will not stand up to the drug company to make them make safe drugs.I am sorry to say that when you go from 100 lbs to 360lbs because due to medication and then everyone around you calls you lazy pigs and other not so nice names. I even have doctors who tell me that well losing weight will correct everything that is wrong with you and others say lets cut up your body when it was medication that did the problems..I think drug companies need to be called on the carpet and they need to stop their reckless paying off FDA.
They seem to have the need to bring cancer into everything. If avoiding cancer was as simple as keeping your weight down I'm sure there would be a lot of happy people out there. That statement is not based in scientific fact and I wish they would keep their opinions to themselves because they've used cancer as an excuse long enough. The truth of the matter is that they don't know what causes cancer.
 @Jatok I'm sorry, but it is a "scientific fact" that obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, an occurrence that is directly connected to greater estrogen production in heavier women.  Excess weight and increased estrogen are also linked to recurrence of breast cancer.  While there may not be a demonstrably causal connection between obesity and some other cancers, there are correlations that have been observed, which is reason enough to keep your weight at least approximately within normal range.
@belsnickles Observed, not proven. It's not a scientific fact. They want you to believe these theories but the bottom line is even oncologists will tell you they don't know, if they did it would be easier to perhaps find a cure.
@Jatok  And you are a perfect example of one of these people that doesn't get it. It's not about "what causes cancer," it's about what increases your chances for developing cancer.  When they do these scientific studies, they can "control" for specific habits or things that people eat and then can make statements such as, this thing increases your chances for getting cancer, or eating this can decrease your chances for getting cancer. It's not about scientific fact, it's about the scientific method.   Â
@lakeview And you are a perfect example of someone who buys into all their theories. I have had 2 oncologists who have told me that they simply don't know what causes cancer or why these cells get out of control. If they knew they might be able to find a cure. I stand by my post.
Americans are fat and stupid. We knew this already.Â
 @lakeview If you're American, I guess we can deduce that this is an apt description of you as well and ignore your comment.
I had a doctor explain to me that when we over eat, eat too much sugar etc.... it's not just our body that gets fat. Our organs get fat too and that it not a good thing. I was 235 at my heaviest and diagnosed with NASH(Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) among other health issues. I thought people only had liver problems if they drink too much alcohol which I didn't. Wow did my eyes open up finally. I have since lost 100 lbs however my liver is still a little too large. When I eat something with too much fat in it, I can tell my liver swells. The casing around the liver does not increase or shrink and when the liver swells, it pushes against this casing and causes pain. I am very careful now on what I eat and how much. I pray people become more knowledgeable regarding obesity before it's too late for them.
 @Robinsnest I was a lightweight until I reached 38. A car accident broken my back among other injuries and the weight piled on quickly. I topped at 235 and it was awful. Had multiple issues develop such as apnea and foot neuropathy (3 types). I went from an attitude that heavy people were just lazy, making stupid food choices, and lacking motivation to get it together to OMG I can't lose weight no matter what diet I tried and now I'm just like "them." After almost 20 years of diet attempts (often hindered by mobility problems), my doctor and I had a talk about upcoming potential surgeries needed for my feet when he looked me straight in the eye and asked what I thought about weight-loss surgery. I'm almost 5 months out and can walk pretty normal now for upwards of 20 minutes without too much back pain. My medical appts have dropped off dramatically and even though the surgery was pricey even with insurance, other medical bills have stopped or reduced. I'm so happy for you for losing 100 lbs (probably the old fashion way of dogged determination). It's people like you I truly admire. I had to take a surgical shortcut but that's the decision I made.
 @arborvitae I actually had gastric bypass June 2010. I was never overweight until the second surgery for thyroid cancer when I was 29 yrs old. I started gaining a little weight here and there and was getting worried. With being a Navy spouse and getting a new primary care manager every 3 years, my new one didn't want to send me to an endocrinologist in 2005. She said my medication was too high and wanted to lower it. I argued with her but figured she was a dr so I followed her orders. I gained 22 lbs in 30 days changing nothing in my diet or physical activity. I was already overweight at 190 and on the 30th day I walked into her office in tears. She looked dumbfounded and referred me to the right specialist and I found a new pcm. Sure it's easy to put on weight, but not so easy to take off. I spent about 8 years being overweight and the last 2 of them contemplating weightloss surgery. My husband wasn't so sure so I didn't make the decision right away. Finally I got on the path to changing my lifestyle. I was able to lose a little and took lifestyle change classes for 3 months, saw a nutritionist for a few months and then had the surgery. The first 6 months were very hard. You MUST MUST MUST get the protein in or you will lose hair and muscle. 2.5 years later and I am so very happy. I took part in the Cooper River Bridge 10k in March 2012 here in SC and also another 5K here as well. I dress very nice everyday(as opposed to the sweats and tshirts I spent my days in), I wear makeup everyday and do my hair. I have met more people than I can remember and mentor many young new Navy wives on how to live the Navy life. Having gastric bypass was the best decision(besides marrying my husband and having my kids) in my life. I love me now and am very comfortable with who I am. And don't ever let anyone tell you that having weightloss surgery is the easy way out. There is nothing easy about it. Yes people can gain weight back, but those are the one's that don't get plugged into support groups and don't take the lifestyle change seriously. For a while i was still so mad at myself for even letting myself get to the point of needing surgery but I learned to stop blaming myself and just live life from today on and not look back. Good luck to you on your journey and I wish you all the best that life can offer. And don't forget to go to support groups for wls patients.
@arborvitae @Robinsnest You are very brave and I think you deserve some admiration too. You made a good decision and I hope it pays off handsomely for you.