Living with obesity often means experiencing struggles and challenges that others can’t see. It can involve managing sleep apnea, depression, and other health issues that go unnoticed. There’s so much more to obesity than meets the eye. Many of the physical and emotional implications of obesity remain invisible to those around you.

The iceberg image below represents obesity and its hidden health effects. Just as the visible tip of an iceberg only hints at its immense size underwater, the outward appearance of obesity doesn’t reflect its full impact on health and well-being. Click on each symptom to learn more.

On MyObesityTeam, the social network and online support group for people living with obesity, members share their experiences navigating these hidden struggles. With more than 55,000 members discussing the complexities of obesity — including its challenges and successes — MyObesityTeam is a valuable resource and supportive community.

This list is by no means exhaustive. What symptoms would you add?