Are You Chronically Obese? What Are the Risks and the Solutions?

Obesity is a problem that seems to face all of us at one time or another. As we age, we often become more sedentary but our appetites don't. It is hard to keep that energy level we had as youngsters going. As a result 58 million people across America are obese. Put another way about one in three people is fighting the "Battle of the Bulge."

Actually obesity is a chronic health problem. It hasn't always been seen that way. Prior to 1985 people who weren't thin weren't all they could be. Heavy people had a social stigma as having no will-power and as being slovenly. Of course that ended up causing obese people to have low self-esteem. This led to emotional problems such as depression.

However in 1985 obesity was seen for what it is; it is the second leading cause of preventable death behind only cigarette smoking.

Obesity is a major risk factor for some pretty "major diseases." These diseases include but certainly aren't limited to diabetes, some forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, considering some hypertensions as unexplainable.

When is a person considered to be obese?

A person is considered to be obese when their body weight exceeds 20 percent of the weight desired by the medical profession.

Therefore the shorter a person is the easier it is going to become to hit that mark.

It is a well-known fact that those with obesity problems are constantly trying diets and fads in an effort to lose the undesired weight. Most of the time the necessity to lose weight is considered more from the standpoint of looks rather than health. However, today the health aspect had better be considered to avoid grave future problems.

Why is losing weight so hard?

It is hard to lose weight because it isn't just a matter of a diet. It is a matter of an entire lifestyle change. You have to watch what you eat. You must watch the serving sizes. It is mandatory to exercise. It is extremely important to drink fluids. There is the option of surgery but that is fraught with dangers and can result in side effects.

It has been shown that liquid diets are probably the safest with the needed nutrients and then one to two meals of sane ingredients.

I have a brother-in-law who has been battling weight most of his life and it has slowly taken its toll. I have battled weight right along with him and I am now the proud owner of adult-onset Type 2 diabetes. I am working on it since it can resolve based on exercise.

There are companies that can help with meals but mostly consult with your doctor and chances are you will be referred to a nutritionist.

Take control of your life and feel better about how you look in the meantime.

Help me with my goal: "I don't want one of my readers to go before me; it's good news for them and job security for me."

References:

Obesity is No Longer a Cosmetic Issue But a Medical Issue," Article, Boyd OB/GYN, Peoria, Illinois, "Healthy Cells Magazine," March 2010

Personal Experience