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Weight & Risk Factors
Before you decide to pursue a weight-loss program, you should understand the
causes and health risks associated with being overweight. Here is some
important information that may help motivate you to tackle this complex and
serious health condition.
Why Are People Overweight?
Many people find it difficult to eat a low-calorie diet with so much
high-calorie, high-fat food available -- just think of those enormous serving
sizes of fast food and junk food. The consumption of excess fatty food and
calories plays a significant role in the development of excess weight. While
fat is an important component of a balanced diet, excess dietary fat
contributes to excess body weight since fat provides twice the number of
calories per gram of weight as carbohydrates and protein.
Evidence suggests that the "satiation signal" may not work well in people who
are considerably overweight. In other words, during a meal, they don't develop
the feeling "I've had enough to eat" early enough. This can lead to
overeating and weight gain.
Low levels of physical activity can also lead to weight gain. If you don't
burn off the calories you consume through your normal daily activities, they
will be stored in your body as fat. The good news is that even moderate
amounts of non-strenuous activity can reduce the risk of developing many
serious diseases.
In addition to overeating and lack of physical activity, genetics, heredity,
environment and socio-economics can all increase a person's risk of becoming
considerably overweight.
Who Suffers from This Condition?
Excess weight is a problem facing an estimated 97 million adults in the U.S.
Currently, about one-fifth of all U.S. adults are believed to be considerably
overweight. Although people of all ages, races and ethnicity can become
overweight, there are some people who are at greater risk than others. For
example, women are more likely to become considerably overweight than are
men, particularly in certain ethnic groups such as African-Americans and
Mexican-Americans.
Does This Condition Lead to Other Serious Health Problems?
Excess weight has been proven to contribute to an increased risk of
developing many medical problems, including high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, sleep
disorders, common arthritis and some forms of cancer. Research shows that
70% of people who are considerably overweight develop at least one other
related health problem.
Obesity has also been linked to psychological problems such as poor
self-esteem, loneliness, depression and excessive overeating or binge eating.
The good news is that losing weight can lower your risks of developing these
and other health conditions. In fact, obesity is one of the most preventable
causes of death - second only to smoking.
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