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Obesity Increases Health Risks Every Year

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - I don't think I need to remind you that obesity is a major health issue in this country. There is no doubt that obesity takes its toll from a health care standpoint.

Each year that a person is obese increases their risk of developing coronary artery disease by 2 to 4 percent; coronary artery disease is the clogging of arteries, which is often a silent process. Clogged arteries can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.

This information is from the National Institute of Health. Up until this report there has been no evidence on the amount of risk that a person incurs with each year that they are obese, but this information supports the need for proper diet and exercise and efforts to reduce weight and fight obesity.

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