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).