PEOPLE THINK EXCESS WEIGHT IS JUST ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE ON THE OUTSIDE.

TRUTH IS, LOSING WEIGHT MAY IMPROVE SOME WEIGHT-RELATED CONDITIONS.

Reneé is a paid Novo Nordisk
patient ambassador.

Excess weight, obesity, and health

Losing weight may improve some weight-related health conditions

For many people who carry excess weight, losing 5% to 15% of their total weight can improve some weight-related health issues.

Use the weight-loss calculator below to see how much weight this means for you.

Heart disease

Excess weight is associated with certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can lead to heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes

Living with excess weight can increase the risk of prediabetes and ultimately type 2 diabetes, a long-lasting condition where the body has trouble controlling how much sugar is in the blood.

For people with excess weight and type 2 diabetes, losing at least 2.5% of body weight can help improve blood sugar levels.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition that often develops into type 2 diabetes.

For people with excess weight and prediabetes, losing up to 10% of body weight can help lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways of the lungs are constricted, leading to difficulty breathing normally. According to one analysis, people with excess weight or obesity are 50% more likely to develop asthma.

Losing 7%-8% of body weight may improve asthma symptoms.

High blood pressure

People with excess weight or obesity are more likely to develop high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a medical condition that occurs when the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels is too high. Having high blood pressure is one factor in developing heart disease.

Losing 5%-15% or more of body weight may help lower blood pressure.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

People with excess weight are at risk of developing OSA, a serious breathing problem. Depending on the seriousness, this could lead to an increase in certain heart problems.

Losing at least 10% of body weight can help improve symptoms of OSA.

High cholesterol

People living with excess weight or obesity are more likely to have cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are not in a normal range. Their LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, may be too high. Their HDL, or “good” cholesterol, may be too low. Also, their levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, may be too high. Having high cholesterol is a risk factor for developing heart disease.

Losing 5% to more than 15% of body weight can help improve each of these levels.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

MASLD, formerly known as NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), is a condition where excess fat is stored in the liver. People living with excess weight or obesity are more likely to have MASLD. 

~1/3 of patients worldwide with obesity are also living with MASH.

MASH, short for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (previously referred to as NASH), is a more severe, progressed form of MASLD. It can mean damage to the liver. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, and sleep apnea. To understand more about MASH, go to speakliver.com.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition where small cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, have formed in the ovaries. PCOS is approximately 2x as likely in women with excess weight.

Losing 5%-15% of body weight can help improve a number of symptoms associated with PCOS, such as menstrual irregularity.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

OA is a joint disease and the most common form of arthritis. OA can be caused by increased force on the joints, including the knees, and is more common in people living with obesity.

In fact, they are 4x to 5x more likely to develop knee OA than someone not living with obesity.

Losing 5%-10% of body weight can decrease knee pain and improve knee function as well as walking distance and speed.

Anddy, a paid Novo Nordisk patient ambassador, power walker, go-getter

“My weight came with high blood pressure, diabetes, and also mobility issues, knee pain...  

After I started losing the weight, my blood pressure is under control, and so is my diabetes. Before I couldn't walk up the stairs and now I can.” 

—Anddy
Paid Novo Nordisk patient ambassador
Power Walker, Go-getter

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*Individual results may vary. Consult your health care professional to see if weight loss is right for you.

Small victories go beyond losing weight

By sticking to a plan and setting new goals for the road ahead, weight loss could offer improvements in:

Energy levels

Moderate to vigorous activity

Walking, climbing stairs, or kneeling

Chores, such as carrying groceries

Mood

What is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic, but treatable, disease associated with excess weight. For people living with obesity, there is more to weight management than just the pounds we can see.

People with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 are usually considered to have obesity. Obesity can have a negative impact on your health. But there’s good news: Weight loss may improve some weight-related conditions.

Knowing your BMI is a great first step when starting the conversation about weight management with a health care professional.

Calculate your BMI

How many people are affected by obesity?

More than 106 million adults in the US are affected

Approximately 2 out of 5 adults in the United States are living with obesity and, for most people, it’s difficult to keep the weight off. In fact, people living with excess weight generally make 7 serious attempts to lose weight over time.

Knowing that there’s a science behind weight loss can help you feel comfortable considering and discussing treatment options for losing weight and maintaining it with a health care professional.

Know your weight-management options and make a plan today.

Get Your TrueWeight^® Report

Start working toward those small victories by sharing your weight-loss history with your health care professional. Fill out the TrueWeight^® Report to capture a record of key life events and current goals, and receive personalized tips for talking with your health care professional.

Get your report