Go to the page content
About obesity

Understanding the long-term impact of obesity on health

Obesity has significant long-term effects on health, impacting various bodily systems and increasing the risk of several chronic conditions. Obesity can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer and musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis. Cardiovasuclar problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, are also commonly associated with obesity.

4 min. read
Women serving tea

The psychological impact of obesity should also be noted, as it can contribute to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Furthermore, individuals with obesity often face social stigmatisation, which can further exacerbate these mental health challenges.

Addressing obesity's long-term effects requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, physical activity, and, in some cases, medical interventions.

It's crucial to raise awareness about the long-term implications of obesity and to promote preventive measures to mitigate its impact on public health. One of the key long-term effects of obesity is its impact on life expectancy. Research has shown that individuals with obesity have a higher risk of decreased life expectancy compared to those with a healthy weight. This underscores the importance of addressing obesity as a public health priority.

In addition to the physical and psychological effects, the healthcare costs associated with obesity and obesity-related conditions are substantial. Addressing the long-term effects on obesity requires a shift towards a more holistic approach to healthcare, one that focuses on prevention, early intervention and the individual. By implementing policies that support access to nutritious foods and physical activity, promoting healthy lifestyle choices from a young age, and supporting people living with obesity on their individual health journeys, it is possible to reduce the long-term impact of obesity on health.

Exploring the Link Between Obesity and Chronic Diseases

Obesity is intricately linked to a multitude of chronic diseases, emphasising the critical need to address this issue comprehensively. Research has consistently shown that obesity significantly increases the risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and mobility.

Obesity can affect your health in many ways. It’s linked to serious issues like heart disease, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many people with obesity also experience sleep problems, including insomnia and sleep apnoea, leaving them tired during the day.

For women, obesity can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to fertility issues, while both men and women may face difficulties with reproductive health. Additionally, being overweight raises the risk of gallbladder disease and can cause skin conditions, such as infections and rashes in skin folds.

Obesity can weaken the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. It can also lead to complications during surgery, and those with obesity may face longer recovery times. Chronic inflammation is another concern, as obesity can contribute to ongoing inflammation in the body, which is linked to various diseases.

Moreover, obesity can affect your quality of life by limiting physical activities and making daily tasks more difficult, leading to lower overall happiness. It’s also important to recognise that obesity can result in higher healthcare costs due to the various complications that may arise.

By understanding how obesity impacts health, individuals can better appreciate the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for their overall well-being.

Women drinking tea

The Psychological Consequences of Living with Obesity

Living with obesity can have profound psychological consequences. The societal stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with obesity can take a toll on their mental health, leading to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and even depression and anxiety. The psychological impact of obesity should not be overlooked, as it can significantly affect a person's quality of life and well-being.

In addition to addressing the physical aspects of obesity, it is essential to provide support and resources for individuals dealing with the psychological effects of obesity. Mental health services, support groups, and counseling can play a crucial role in helping individuals with obesity cope with the emotional challenges they may face.

Raising awareness about the psychological impact of obesity and promoting a more inclusive and empathetic societal attitude towards individuals with obesity are important steps in creating a supportive environment for those affected.

By recognising and addressing the psychological consequences of living with obesity, we can work towards fostering a more compassionate and understanding society. In conclusion, obesity has profound long-term effects on both physical and mental health.

Key points to keep in mind

It is clear that obesity is likely to have profound long-term effects on both physical and mental health. The impact of obesity extends beyond individual health, with significant economic burdens on healthcare systems and implications for society as a whole. Therefore, addressing obesity as a public health priority is crucial.

The link between obesity and chronic diseases emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach to combatting this issue. Understanding the complex relationship between obesity and chronic conditions is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent and manage these diseases.

References:

1. Lopez-Jimenez F, Almahmeed W, Bays H, et al, 2022. Obesity and cardiovascular disease: Mechanistic insights and management strategies: A joint position paper by the World Heart Federation and World Obesity Federation. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 29(17):2218 -2237.

2. Haase CL, Lopes S, Olsen AH, et al, 2021. Weight loss and risk reduction of obesity-related outcomes in 0.5 million people: evidence from a UK primary care database. Int J of Obesity. 45(6):1249-1258. 

3. National Health Service (NHS). Overview: obesity. Updated 2023. (Website - Accessed October 2025).

4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Overweight and obesity management. NG246. 2025. (Website -Accessed October 2025).

5. Dandgey S, Patten E, 2023. Psychological considerations for the holistic management of obesity. Clin Med (Lond). 23(4):318 -322. 

6. National Health Service (NHS). Treatment: obesity. (Website - Accessed October 2025).

7. Public Health England. 2017. Changing Behaviour: Techniques for Tier 2 Adult Weight Management Services. (Website - Accessed October 2025).

8. Spreckley M, Seidell J, Halberstadt J, 2021. Perspectives into the experience of successful, substantial long-term weight-loss maintenance: a systematic review. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 16(1):1862481.

9. Abdullah A, Wolfe R, Stoelwinder JU, 2011. The number of years lived with obesity and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Int J Epidemiol. (40):985-986.

10. Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. 2023. Unhealthy numbers: The Rising Cost of Obesity in the UK. (Website - Accessed October 2025).

11. McLaughlin J, Siljero Rejon C, Bell M, et al, 2024. Holistic modelling as a catalyst for effective obesity policy. BMJ. 386:e077139.

12. Bray G, Kim K, Wilding JPH, et al, 2017. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. World Obesity Federation Position Statement. Obes Rev. 18:715 -723.

13. Figorilli M, Velluzzi F, Redolfi S, et al, 2025. Obesity and sleep disorders: A bidirectional relationship. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 35(6):104014.

14. Pandey S, Bhattacharya, 2010. Impact of obesity on gynecology.  Womens Health. 6(1):107 -117.

15. Mihalca R, Fica S, 2014. The impact of obesity on the male reproductive axis. J Med Life. 7(2):296-300.

16. Bonfrate L, Wang DQH, Garruti G, et al, 2014. Obesity and the risk and prognosis of gallstone disease and pancreatitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 28(4):623-35.

17. Darlenski R, Mihaylova V, Handjieva-Darlenska T, et al, 2022. The link between obesity and the skin. Front Nutr. 9:9855573.

18. Andersen, CJ, Murphy KE, Fernandez ML, 2016. Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome on Immunity. Adv Nutr. 7(1):66-75. 

19. Fanaki M, Dimitrios H, Vlachos DE, et al. The impact of obesity on perioperative care: Integrating ERAS protocols for improved surgical outcome. Maturitas. 5:199;108598.

20. Ellulu MS, Patimah I, Khaza'ai H, et al, 2017. Obesity and inflammation. Arch Med Sci. 13(4):851-863

21. Stephenson J, Smith CM, Kearns B, et al, 2021. The association between obesity and quality of life. BMC Public Health. 21:1990.

22. Rubino F, Puhl RM, Cummings DE, et al, 2020. Joint international consensus statement for ending stigma of obesity. Nat Med. 26(4):485-497.

UK25OB00082 | October 2025

About obesity
Was this valuable for you?

You might also like