Why Is Weight Loss Treated As An Option Or Luxury?
We usually focus on weight loss because of how we look but should I be more concerned with health issues? We may not all want the near-emaciated look of a supermodel, but who doesn’t want a body that makes going to the beach comfortable and fun rather than anxiety-laden and traumatic? All of the “fat is beautiful” movements aside, how we look matters to us, and few of us are happy when we are carrying a significant amount of extra body weight. It is really counterproductive to try and minimize this. Unfortunately, no matter how important appearance is, there are issues associated with being overweight and obese that should take center stage.
What Constitute Obesity?
Healthcare professionals consider obesity an issue of epidemic proportion in the U.S., and it is continuing to grow. Ten years ago, the obesity rate in this country for adults was 34 percent. The latest research, conducted in 2016 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed an increase to 40 percent. That means that 2 of every 5 adults in the U.S. are not merely overweight, they are obese.
It would seem that the terminology used to discuss such an important issue would be easy to understand. Unfortunately, most of us have difficulty understanding the difference between being overweight and being obese. In the past, there were weight charts that gave you a target weight based on height, gender, and age. Now, you have to know your BMI (body mass index). That being said, even if you do understand what that means and learn how to use the BMI calculator, this doesn’t take into account mitigating factors like fat versus muscle, ethnicity and where the fat is located on the body.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weight Loss
Of course, most of us know whether we need to lose weight or not, even if we don’t know the exact number of pounds. Knowing it and navigating the incredibly confusing advice coming from countless directions every day is nothing short of overwhelming.
- What’s the best diet?
- Which foods are truly healthy (and do they have to be so expensive)?
- What kind of exercise should I do?
- How do I find the time to plan, shop, prepare and cook every meal?
- Where do I find help that I can trust?
What usually happens? Our favorite fast food restaurant shows up in a commercial or as we are driving down the street and makes the choice extremely easy. Pull in, pay far less than for healthy options and be on our way. Quicker. Easier. Cheaper.
Importance of Breaking the Obesity Cycle
Conditions and Symptoms Stemming from Obesity
There really is a lot at stake when it comes to body weight. Yes, the effort required to lose and then maintain a healthy weight is considerable, but the cost of not doing so is far greater. Pollution in our air, water, and ground may be responsible for a great percentage of our current health concerns but the effect of obesity is staggering. Years of research has linked obesity to an almost unbelievably long list of health issues. Some of the most common include:
- Diabetes – obesity increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by a factor of 10
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disorders
- Cancer – obesity is thought to be linked to nearly 90,000 cancer deaths yearly
- Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal disorders
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Scary, right? The good news is that losing weight can have a dramatically positive effect on your health. Even just getting started and reaching a goal of 5 percent of body weight can show improvement that you can feel and lower your risk for some of these life-threatening diseases. Do not let feeling overwhelmed or confused prevent you from making the changes that are so important. Make an appointment with a healthcare professional to set up a plan that is right for you and get started today.
At the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging, we know how important weight control is to health and well-being, and we believe that safe and life changing weight loss can be attained and maintained when properly supervised. Weight control is extremely important, but our bodies must also be well-nourished in order to function properly and keep our immune systems at the ready. Once we have diagnosed your particular case through carefully administered tests, we prescribe the diet, or combination of diets, that we know will work for you. To learn more about our programs or if you have questions about any of our services, take advantage of our Free Consultation by using our online form below
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