Who hasn’t been told by their doctor that they could do well to lose some weight? The CDC reports that even a small amount of weight loss, 5-10%, can produce many health benefits like lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars. But what about people who are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) above 30? Your BMI is a simple equation that measures body fat based on height and weight. With a national average of over 36% of Americans being obese, doctors are telling their patients more and more that it’s time to start focusing on a healthier lifestyle and start dropping some of those extra pounds.
What Causes Obesity And What’s The Harm In It?
Simply put, the most common cause of obesity and being overweight is when you take in more calories than you use, or when your energy in is more than your energy out. Your body uses the calories you consume to produce energy for your daily functions, or the energy is stored by your body for future use. There are also a number of medical conditions or genetic syndromes that can slow down the process and contribute to those extra pounds. In addition to measuring your BMI to determine obesity, doctors also pay attention to where the fat is stored. There are certain places on your body, like your waist, where excess fat can be even more dangerous to your health.
There are a number of health problems that come along with obesity. In addition to the discomfort of carrying around extra weight, being obese puts you in a higher risk category for diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, respiratory problems, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammation, incontinence, cancer, and even emotional issues.
How Do I Lose The Weight?
While it might seem simple to just say “you’re obese, fix it by losing the weight,” it’s not always that easy. While that should be the end result, the journey toward weight loss looks very different for everyone. At GI Associates, we urge our patients to look toward developing a new and healthy lifestyle rather than just rely on quick fixes or fad diets.If you’re looking to change your life by losing your excess weight through a comprehensive health and wellness system, contact GI Associates today!
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