Obesity - Spotlight on Obesity
Two out of every three Americans are overweight. Of these, many are seriously overweight or obese. Being overweight puts people at risk, and being obese at even greater risk, of developing serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Overweight and obesity may even be life-threatening.
Luckily, even losing a small amount of weight by eating more healthfully and exercising can improve your health. If that doesn’t work, there are prescription medications or surgical techniques that could help. Before choosing any plan to lose weight, you should talk to your doctor. Some diets and other quick fixes may be dangerous to your health.
Your weight is determined by how many calories you get from the food you eat and the amount of energy you use in your daily activities. If you consume more calories than you use, you will gain weight because your body stores unused calories as fat. Therefore, overeating and lack of physical activity are the main causes of obesity.
If you think you might be overweight, your doctor can help. A physician can check your BMI (Body-Mass Index) which gives an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight. He or she can also check your Waist Circumference (the distance around your midsection) which also predicts the ill effects of obesity.
Here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to watching your waistline:
Be active. People who sit around all day are more likely to gain weight because they don’t burn enough calories.
Keep a positive attitude. Some people overeat to cope with problems or deal with difficult situations. Ask your family and friends for support instead. If your weight has you feeling depressed, talk to your doctor.
It doesn’t have to run in the family. If one or both of your parents are obese, your chances of being overweight increase, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your family history doesn’t keep you from exercising and eating well.
Being a woman isn’t an excuse. Men have more muscle than women do and therefore burn more calories. For some women, achieving a healthy weight may be a challenge, but it’s certainly not impossible.
Neither is getting older. As people get older, their metabolism (the rate at which your body burns calories) slows down. They burn fewer calories and they become less active. If you don’t make it a point to watch what you eat and exercise as you age, you’re likely to gain weight.
Put out that cigarette. Smokers tend to gain weight after quitting, so once you quit make sure you take steps to eat healthy and get active.
Pregnancy. After pregnancy, a woman’s weight tends to increase slightly. This weight gain may lead women down the path to obesity.? Make sure to make time to live healthfully.
Medications and medical problems. Certain medications and medical problems can also lead to weight gain and decreased activity.
Just remember, preventing obesity is up to you. With the right knowledge, a good attitude, and a safe, healthy plan, you can lose weight.
Edited by Albert Stunkard, MD, Founder and Director Emeritus, Weight and Eating Disorders Program, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine