Credit: CBS

WASHINGTON (January 6, 2013)--Heart disease and diabetes get the attention, but obesity can damage health in other ways, too.

Carrying too many pounds may lead to or worsen some types of cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea and even infertility, but a new poll suggests few Americans realize the links.

Only about one-quarter of people think it's possible for someone to be very overweight and still healthy, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Ask about the most serious consequences, and more than 7 in 10 Americans can correctly tick off heart disease and diabetes.

Heart disease is the nation's leading killer, and diabetes and obesity are twin epidemics, as rates of both have climbed in recent years.

The other consequences aren't so well known.