You can assess whether or not you are obese by determining the value of your BMI (Body Mass Index). The BMI range that is considered to be "healthy" is 18.5-24.9, and values that exceed the upper limit indicate obesity. To determine if a person has a healthy BMI, their weight and height are plugged into a formula to calculate the value. A BMI that is larger than 30 indicates that a person is obese and has an increased risk for health issues, such as coronary disease, cancer, sleep apnea, diabetes, and excessive cholesterol levels. Obesity can place a person at higher risk for experiencing the following:

Coronary issues
Stroke and heart disease head the list of issues responsible for the most deaths in the United States. Hypertension is common in people who are overweight, and they can also have high levels of triglycerides and suffer from angina, enlarged hearts, and strokes. A fatty material, known as plaque, can accumulate on the interior surface of the coronary arteries responsible for oxygenating the heart muscle. The blood flow to the heart can become severely restricted, which eventually starves the heart for oxygen. The risk for coronary heart disease and having a heart attack increases with an increase in BMI. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart becomes enlarged and is too weak to pump a sufficient amount blood through the circulatory system to supply the body with enough oxygen and nutrients. Obese people are at higher risk for this disea

Strokes
Obesity and overweight can help store fatty adipose that is deposited in the arteries which might lead to blood clots within the arteries. When the blocked artery is near to the brain, it can hinder the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain and as a result of it,it may finally cause a stroke. Strokes are more prevalent in people who have the high BMI.

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

This is as a result of the high amount of pressure exerted by the blood as it pushes against the artery walls. Obese and overweight people have a higher chance of suffering from hypertension.

Fatty Compounds in the Blood
People whose BMI exceeds 30 are more likely to have higher levels of blood fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in their circulatory systems. Blood cholesterol has a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) constituent, or "good" cholesterol, and also low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, and the blood also contains fats called triglycerides. Serious coronary problems can result from high levels of these fats in the blood.

Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and being overweight are accompanied by certain factors that serve to increase a person's risk for experiencing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. One or more of these associated factors may be experienced, but they can be simultaneous issues, as well. Someone who is experiencing one or more of these risks for heart disease is said to have the metabolic syndrome:

(1) Is your waist wide, or is your shape similar to an apple? If so, then your obesity is focused on your abdomen. When your waist has accumulated excess amounts of fat, you are at a higher statistical risk for heart disease than someone whose hips are carrying extra weight.

(2) If your HDL levels are low and your triglycerides are high, you have an excessive amount of fatty compounds in your blood.

(3) Hypertension

(4) Elevated blood sugar while fasting.

Heart Cancer
The second deadliest disease that kills thousands of people within the United States are cancer. Many different varieties of cancer can develop because of your overweight. Cancer is natural amongst men in the mode of colon, rectum and prostrate cancer, while breast, colon, ovary, gallbladder, uterus and cervical cancer are common in women.

Osteoporosis and arthritis
The combination of the two forms is called osteoarthritis which most of the overweight people suffer from. It's a problem of the hips joints, knee joints and lower-back. The weight of the fat puts pressure on the joints, leading to pain.

Gallbladder stones
Overweight people might experience many problems like inflamed gallbladders and small gallbladder stones. These small stones generally caused by high cholesterol create abdominal pain and the only available cure of it is surgery.

Sleep Apnea

This is another problem related to obesity. People who suffer from sleep apnea cease to breathe for short duration while asleep. This usually leads to sleepiness during the day and often, heart failure. People who suffer from overweight should avoid junk foods, fatty foods, beef and other greasy or oily foodstuffs. An intake of pure water, juices and many vegetables should be enough to keep severe diseases away and help reduce the weight.

Diabetes or high blood sugar

Type II diabetes (non-insulin), which is the most common form of the disease in the U.S. Diabetes, is a disease where the body is unable to effectively regulate blood sugar in the body. People who are obese are twice as likely to suffer from type II diabetes as those who have normal BMIs. Daily medication is required by diabetics, as the disease cannot be cured entirely. Associated health issues, such as kidney failure, blindness, strokes, and coronary diseases can develop.

More and more children are developing Type-II diabetes, and the occurrence in juveniles has increased from seldom seen to the point where 45% of new cases involve children. Consequently, if children are obese, they are at risk for becoming obese adults with the associated health issues.