INTRODUCTION TO WEIGHT LOSS

Obesity: A Global Health Threat

Doctors all around the world regard obesity as a global health threat. In fact, almost 80% of obese adults have high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated blood-cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease or osteoarthritis. Nearly 40% have more than one of these conditions. The financial cost of these diseases is staggering. Unfortunately, the number of overweight people around the world has climbed to 1.1 billion — and that number is quickly rising!

Why Is Weight Gain On The Rise?

The number one cause for weight gain is taking in more calories than are expended. Most people are fairly active when they’re young, and activity generally slows as the years pass. Sedentary jobs, modern conveniences, tight schedules, and lack of interest in exercise contribute to this pattern. Generally, metabolism slows as age increases, while activity usually decreases.

Another factor in weight gain is food availability. Modern day supermarkets feature every imaginable food a person could want. But time being in short supply causes many to opt for high-sugar, high-fat, high-sodium convenience foods, often at the expense of nutrition and health. Add to that the enticements of fast-food establishments to “super-size” already large portions of unhealthy foods, plus busy schedules that favor take-out and pizza a little too often, and you have a recipe for disaster!

Serious Health Risks

Excess weight carries with it some serious physical and emotional health threats. Whether you’ve put on a few pounds over the years, or have struggled with your weight all your life, your weight gain is associated with greater health risks like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, gall bladder disease, arthritis and early death.

Emotional Stress

Besides the health risks, weight seriously affects self image, ensuring that overweight people suffer considerably more often from low self-esteem than those who fall within standard weight levels. It’s hard to feel good about yourself when you don’t like how you look, plus it’s tough to do the things you want to do when you don’t have the energy to do them.

Understanding Your Body

Weight has a way of “creeping on” over the years from taking in more calories than you burn. In fact, most?https://ltl.is/npydwk4