Recent studies came up with a statistical figure that approximately fifty-eight million men and women are overweight; roughly forty million are obese; and around three million are morbidly obese.  Another study said that eight out of ten adults over twenty-five are overweight.

Being overweight and obese has been an on-going concern for a lot of adults.  Surveys say that the population of obese people has increased drastically in the United States alone, and that cases of obesity-related health risks have grown at an alarming rate.

Contributing factors
A variety of factors play a contributory role in obesity, and these are:
1.Energy imbalance.  This occurs when the amount of calories consumed does not amount to the amount of calories used or burned.
2.Calorie consumption.  The availability of a lot of pre-packaged foods, fast food restaurants, and soft drinks which are generally high in fat, sugar, and calories contributes to an excessive calorie intake.
3.Calorie usage.  People are becoming more and more sedentary, and the lack of physical activity is causing the excess calorie to become stored fat.
4.Environment.  People spending too much time inside the house in front of the television may find it less enticing to go out for a walk or engage in any sporty activities.
5.Genetics.  Genes play a part in passing on disorders that may cause obesity.
6.Diseases.  Illnesses like Cushing’s disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome may cause obesity.
7.Medications.  Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause significant weight gain.

Complications/Risk factors
Obesity isn’t just a simple concern for one’s appearance, it causes a multitude of health dilemma that can be harmful to the health.  Among these complications are: Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and pickwickian syndrome.

Weight loss
Now that you’ve learned of the repercussions of being overweight and obese, it’s time to consider shedding off some pounds.  Here are some ways to lose weight:

Diet.  Watch what you eat.  This doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself or count how much you eat.  A balanced diet makes sure that your body is nourished with the necessary nutrients needed for the day.
Exercise.  Integrating a simple exercise routine for an hour or two everyday may prove helpful to burn off calories you ate.  This may be as simple as walking a block or two, doing a set or two of sit-ups, or performing basic stretching exercises.
Surgery.  Weight loss surgery is performed only for severe obesity cases where diet and exercise has very little effect.  This is advised for people suffering from serious obesity-related health concerns.  The operation aides in weight loss by restricting food intake and, in other operations, interrupt the digestive process.

Living with obesity is difficult.  Much more if you’re living with its complications.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to stay obese.  Stand up and take action.  Rid yourself of this heavy burden and work your way out to a slimmer, healthier you.  Take comfort in knowing that you have the power to save yourself from obesity.

More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and obese persons are more likely to be ill than those who are not. Obesity presents challenges to physicians and patients and also has a negative impact on health status. Some patients who are obese may delay medical care because of concerns about disparagement by physicians and health care staff, or fear of being weighed. Simple accommodations, such as providing large-sized examination gowns and armless chairs, as well as weighing patients in a private area, may make the medical setting more accessible and more comfortable for obese patients.

Children Can be Obese too!
Children can also be obese! And it is not just baby fat we are talking about here. Children who have migraines are more likely to be overweight than the general population, while overweight kids suffer more disabling migraines than their normal-weight peers, a new study shows.

Americans have become considerably more obese over the past 25 years. This increase is primarily the result of consuming more calories. The increase in food consumption is itself the result of technological innovations which made it possible for food to be mass prepared far from the point of consumption, and consumed with lower time costs of preparation and cleaning. Price changes are normally beneficial, but may not be if people have self-control problems.

Another government study published in October, 2002 indicates that thirty-one percent of the American public is obese. It further suggested that fifteen percent of young people between 6 and 19 are seriously overweight. Even ten percent of toddlers between 2 and 5 are seriously overweight. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Is there a Permanent Solution for Obesity?
But lucky for us all, advances in the medical world has made it possible for obese people to lose that weight and live a normal life! What is this method? It is called the gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass surgery has worked for thousands of people all over the world and has given lasting effect on weight loss! We urge you to find out more about the gastric bypass surgery method as a permanent way in losing tens of kilos and keeping them off forever!