Being overweight raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke

Being overweight raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It can cause other problems, too, like high blood pressure, the force of blood exerted on the inside walls of blood
vessels. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio (example: 120/80, read as “120 over 80”).

The first number is the systolic (sis-TAH-lik) pressure, or the pressure when the heart pushes blood out into the arteries. The second number is the diastolic (DY-uh-STAH-lik) pressure, or the pressure when the heart rests.X, unhealthy cholesterol, and high blood glucose (sugar). Losing weight can help you prevent and manage these problems. And you don’t have to lose a lot of weight. Even losing 10-15 pounds can make a big difference.