Physiological Risks

As identified earlier the main risks of obesity are the development of chronic health conditions such as type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (Clocksin, Watson, & Ransdell, 2003). Other identified risks include osteoarthritis (Hubbard, 2000, as cited in Clocksin, Watson, & Ransdell, 2003), and several forms of cancer ( Fox & Riddoch, 2000, as cited in Clocksin, Watson, & Ransdell, 2003). “Moderate to severe obesity can also promote hyperlipidemia, increased growth in puberty and then stunting, early onset of puberty in females with early menarche, obstructive apnea, pancreatitis, gall bladder disease…and polycystic ovary syndrome” (Must, 1996; Schonfeld-Warden, 1997; Slyper, 1998, as cited in Myers & Vargas, p. 24, 2000).