People in America have been gaining weight. Some weigh more than others, but there are now over 100 million people who are medically obese. The biggest problem with being seriously overweight is that it will bring about conditions that will shorten your life.
Many people who are obese – those with a BMI of 30 or more – have convinced themselves that it is OK. They may have told themselves that they could lose the weight at any time, but most make little effort to get started. They need to realize that they are hurting themselves and could cut their life short by five to ten or more years. A normal BMI is from 18.5 to 24.9.
Obesity has the potential to lead to 60 different serious health problems. Some of those health problems include cardiovascular disease, prediabetes and diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, cancer, female infertility, reduced sex drive, reflux disease, depression, and more.
Even though many people in the U.S. may live to 90, it is doubtful that many obese people will get close to it. If you have hypertension, your chances of living to 90 are reduced by 28 percent. Diabetes can reduce your chances of reaching 90 by as much as 86 percent. Being obese raises your chances of death before 90 by 44 percent.
People who are obese will visit the doctor more often than those who are thinner. The AARP says that severely obese people live an average of nearly 10.2 years with poor health, and they will spend $23,396 more than people of normal weight. People with a normal BMI live with poor health for an average of 6.1 years.
Some people who are considered overweight may not yet show any metabolic problems. Studies have revealed that it only takes longer to develop the same problems – but they will come. They also tend to be more likely to get early-stage coronary artery disease than adults of normal weight.
Even if you have some of the above health conditions, losing weight and getting down to a healthy weight can improve some of them. You may even be able to eliminate a few of them.
Another benefit of weight loss is that you will feel healthier and be able to do more. You will discover that you get a boost in your energy levels and be more mobile. Your breathing will improve, and so will your mood and your sex drive. You will also reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and your risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer.
Another benefit of weight loss is that it will help prevent diabetes and give you better sleep. You will also be glad you went into trouble to lose that weight, which will make you feel better about yourself – and you will wonder why you did not start sooner.
There are several ways you can get started on your weight loss journey. Before joining an exercise program, check with your doctor to ensure it is right for you. They may have some suggestions for you.
You may also want to try some methods currently on the market. These may include weight loss injections or weight loss pills. The best weight loss programs will likely include a change in diet, exercise, eating nutritious meals, and staying active, which will help your longevity to improve.