Most Americans could stand to lose a few pounds and they know it. But still most people do not understand the health benefits of weight loss and the risks of being overweight.
The purpose of this article is to educate you about why weight loss is such an important public health issue -- not to try to make you feel bad, or guilty, about excess weight. Simply to encourage you to take the first step toward weight loss that will improve your quality of life -- and just might save it.
Here is a breakdown of how losing just a few pounds can make a big difference in your health:
Heart disease and hypertension: Losing just 5%-15% of your weight will reduce the risks you take of heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina and abnormal heart rhythm. Obese individuals run twice the risk over individuals who maintain a healthy weight.
Diabetes: Being more than 18 pounds over your healthy weight doubles the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. More than 80% of those with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight. Even for those already suffering from this disease, weight loss can help to reduce the symptoms they experience.
Cancer: Certain types of cancer, including colon, gall bladder, prostate and kidney cancer, are much more common in the overweight. Weight loss helps to reduce the cancer risks associated with obesity.
Sleep apnea: Those who are overweight or obese frequently suffer from this disorder, which interrupts the sleep cycle and can have effects far beyond simple fatigue. Studies show that weight loss reduces the effects of sleep apnea.
Arthritis: For every 2 pounds of weight loss, your chances of suffering from arthritis are reduced. Weight loss causes the skeleton and the joints to be less burdened, work less hard, and ultimately to suffer the effects of excess weight a lot less.
NOW is the time to begin the weight loss plan of your choice. Delay can only lead to the exacerbation of the health risks you run from excess weight. Make the right decision and start to lose weight today.
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Other Spellings: Nutri System, Nutra System, Nutrisystem, Nutrasystem
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