Obesity
Obesity is on the rise!
Americans are losing the battle of the bulge. An estimated 160 million Americans are overweight or obese! Not just adults, but children are also weighing in at an all-time high! Chalk it up to super sized portions of foods high in fat, sugar, and "bad" carbohydrates. Combine this poor diet with a lack of exercise, and you have the perfect recipe for obesity!
What is the cause of Obesity?
The most common cause of obesity is overeating. Your body only needs a certain amount of energy from food to run efficiently. It cannot store excess protein and carbohydrates so it converts it to stored fat.
Being overweight or obese from the following diseases significantly increases the risk of health complications such as:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Coronary heart disease and stroke
- Cancer: endometrial, breast, prostate and colon
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Gall bladder Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Hyperlipedemia: abnormal cholesterol levels
- Kidney Disease
- Morbidity
One pound of fat is equal to approximately 3500 excess calories depending upon your metabolism.
How do I prevent obesity?
- Exercise regularly, at the very least 3 times a week. Consult your doctor before you begin any exercise program.
- Eat smaller food portions.
- Reduce your intake of foods high in fat, sugar and "bad" carbohydrates. Consult your doctor before starting a new eating plan or diet.
- Don't drink more than 1 or 2 alcohol drinks per day.
Obesity risk increases with:
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Genetic factors: such as a very slow metabolism
- Lack of exercise while consuming the same amount of calories
- Stress, depression, low self esteem, nervous tension
- Poor eating habits acquired as a child