Effects of obesity: what you should know

Extra body fat can increase strain on the heart and blood vessels, and some people develop high blood pressure, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Fat around the abdomen can affect how the body responds to insulin.

Weight and body shape can also influence breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnoea may cause loud snoring, pauses in breathing, morning headaches or daytime sleepiness. Reflux, gallstones and gout are other conditions that may be associated with obesity. Joints may hurt because they carry more load, particularly at the knees, hips and lower back.

These effects are not a judgement about your choices, and body size alone cannot show whether a person has a particular complication. A clinician can consider symptoms, medical history, examination findings and appropriate tests.

Arrange a routine health review if you have obesity or symptoms such as persistent thirst, frequent urination, breathlessness, snoring, joint pain or repeated heartburn. Depending on your situation, the review may include blood pressure measurement and blood tests for blood sugar and cholesterol.

Small, sustainable changes can support health even when weight changes slowly. Consider regular meals, more vegetables and fibre, fewer sugary drinks, and activity that suits your mobility. A clinician or dietitian can help adapt a plan to your culture, schedule, medicines and other conditions. Do not start weight-loss medicines or very restrictive diets without professional advice.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, chest pressure, fainting, sudden weakness on one side, confusion, or a severe allergic reaction. Contact a clinician promptly for new swelling, marked thirst with frequent urination, severe abdominal pain, or sleepiness that makes driving unsafe.

Make a routine appointment for ongoing snoring, reflux, joint pain, low mood, or difficulty managing eating, sleep or activity. These concerns can be assessed without waiting for a major change in weight.

Ask which checks are appropriate for you, whether your symptoms could indicate a related condition, and what treatment options fit your health goals. You can also ask how medicines, sleep problems, pain or emotional wellbeing may affect your plan.