It may not shock you that obesity has many health complications. But it did surprise 35-year-old Steven Assanti to find himself with heart trouble due to his weight. The former celebrity of "My 600-lb Life" shared on Facebook about his scary ordeal. It reinforces the importance of weight loss sooner rather than later.

Steven Assanti proves obesity complications

The ex-reality TV star has bounced in and out of ER with chronic pain from a crippling 850-lb obesity. He's been an opioid drug user for quite awhile. The young "My 600-lb Life" patient knew he had blood clots in his legs which could kill him at any time.

What he had not experienced were the chest pains, low heart rate and symptoms of a heart attack but probably should have. Carrying 5x your ideal body weight puts enormous strain on the heart. Assanti says he's healing but it's only a matter of time for an overworked heart.

Obesity in youth

TLC "My 600-lb Life" profiles people hundreds of pounds overweight. People like Laura Perez and Teretha Hollis-Neely were eating themselves to death. The reality television show coined the term "morbid obesity" to define the killing power of added weight. But sadder perhaps even than the adults are the terribly overweight teens and 20-somethings. Amber Raschdi and Sean Milliken were in their early twenties.

Each carried around the equivalent of 4-5 extra people before they found Dr. Now and bariatric surgery weight loss.

Youth aging faster than 90-year-olds

The young often have a sense of invincibility--they can do what they like without harm. Those seeking gastric bypass on the TLC "My 600-lb Life" reality television show are likewise naive.

It takes something drastic to wake the obese to the fact that obesity is killing them. That wakeup call often comes in the form of age-related health problems. More young people are experienced heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, liver problems and even stroke, at younger ages.

The good and bad news about juvenile obesity

The bad news is that obesity rates are ballooning with childhood obesity shooting up too. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson can talk about being more comfortable overweight but too much is still dangerous. The good news is that, like with some many other lifestyle diseases, it's easier to treat the earlier its caught. First Lady Michelle Obama was vocal about getting health education in schools. Children can learn young how to prepare healthier meals. The word "diet" need never be mentioned so long as children are keeping fit and eating nutritious meals. Good news for obese kids is that weight loss is easier the younger you are, as well.
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