Obesity Risks |
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So Why Lose Weight?Yes, we are obsessed with losing weight. But are there good reasons to take off those extra pounds. People who are obese and overweight can gain significant benefits from losing weight—even small amounts, as little as 10 to 20 pounds. For individuals who are overweight or obese, losing weight should be an important goal in health. It's not just considered a cosmetic concern. But just as important is maintaining the weight loss. Keeping your weight to ideal conditions for your size helps in disease prevention and in seeking a state of overall well-being. The Surgeon General reports that the risk of premature death rises with increased weight gain, even in as much as 10-20 pounds for an individual of average height. Obesity As a DiseaseUntil recently, obesity in a person was thought of as a sign of the person's lack of willpower. It was a stigma assigned to people who were thought to have no control over what and how much they ate. People who carried excess weight were ridiculed for putting it on and keeping it on. Although many people still feel this way, medical experts now categorize obesity as a disease, just like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. It's a disease that many people have no control over. Recent efforts by medical experts and the National Institutes of Health have labeled obesity as a disease—a disease that has problems generated from genetics, the environment, and psychological factors. And along with obesity being a disease in itself, it is known to lead to other chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, gall bladder disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. All of these chronic conditions can lead to illness and even premature death. But I'm not saying that everyone needs to be slim, trim, and the size of a model. In fact, for many individuals who do not need to lose weight, losing weight offers no health benefit and can often be more harmful than helpful. But for those who do need to lose the weight, losing even 10, 20, or 30 pounds can bring on tremendous health benefits—decreasing blood pressure, reducing blood glucose levels, lowering cholesterol, increasing self esteem, and even bringing on a sense of accomplishment. The Risks of Being ObeseHere is what we know about the risks of being obese: |
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